Parenting Guide

10 vaccines recommended for your child

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Jun 08, 2015

Vaccines are for our own protection, against viruses and diseases. Acknowledging this, here are several vaccines recommended for your child by us.

1. BCG Vaccine

BCG vaccine or Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is a vaccine that most of us must have been administered during our childhood. It is administered using an intradermal injection in order to prevent the deadly tuberculosis. Ideally, it should be given within 12 months of the child being born.

2. Polio Vaccine

Polio vaccines are vaccines used to prevent poliomyelitis (polio). There are two types: one that uses inactivated poliovirus and is given by injection (IPV), and one that uses weakened poliovirus and is given by mouth (OPV). The World Health Organization recommends all children be fully vaccinated against polio.

3. DPT Vaccine

DPT Vaccine is given to prevent not just one, but three diseases namely diphtheria, petrussis and tetanus. All three diseases have the potential to be fatal which makes this vaccine mandatory for every child.

Children should be given five doses of this vaccine. The doses stages are as follows:

1. The first dose – when the child is 2 months old.
2. The second dose – when the child is 4 months of age.
3. The third dose – when the child is 6 months of age.
4. The fourth dose – when the child is between 15 to 18 months of age.
5. The fifth dose – when the child is between 4 to 6 years of age.

5. Hepatitis B Vaccine

Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to jaundice. Though it is not mandatory for children to be given this vaccine, it is highly recommended since it provides immunity against jaundice.

Also, the Hepatitis B virus is highly infectious as it can survive outside the body for as many as 7 days.

It is given as a series of three shots – The first dose is given after the child is born and hasn’t yet left the hospital, the second dose is given when the child is between 1 and 2 months old and the third dose is given when the child is 6 months old.

6. HIB Vaccine

This vaccine provides immunity against meningitis which is a disease where a child’s brain and spinal cord gets infected.

The vaccine is given in four doses – first dose is given when the child is 2 months old, the second dose is given when the child is 4 months old, and the third dose is given when the child is 6 months old and the fourth and final dose is given when the child is 12 months old.

7. Varicella or Chickenpox Vaccine

A lot of parents do not opt for this vaccine as once a child has suffered from chicken pox, he/she cannot get it again.

It is administered in two doses – the first dose is given when the child is between 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose is given when the child is between 4 to 6 years old.

8. MMR Vaccine

It is a vaccination that can protect your child from not one, but three diseases – measles, mumps and rubella. It contains live but very weak viruses of all three diseases which cause a minor infection that the body is able to fight against.

It is administered in two doses – the first dose is given when the child is between 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose is given when the child is between 4 to 6 years of age.

9. Influenza Vaccine

Influenza or flu is an extremely common disease that affects the respiratory system. A new vaccine is developed each year containing strains from flu viruses that scientists think are the most common.

In children, it should be administered before the flu season. Children between 6 months to 5 years of age should take it.

10. Rotavirus Vaccine

This vaccine is administered to provide immunity against rotavirus infection. The virus can cause severe gastroenteritis along with diarrhea and vomiting that can seriously impact the health of your baby.

Different brands require different doses of the vaccine. The first dose is given when the child is 4 months old, and the second dose is given when the child is 6 months old.

This article was originally from www.thehealthsite.com

All health related articles here are merely curated based on personal opinion. None of the suggestions here should take the place of a trained healthcare specialist. Please consult a doctor for further consultation and advice.