As parents, there’s nothing more important than keeping your little ones happy, healthy, and ready to explore the world around them. That’s where a baby vaccination chart comes in. It’s your roadmap to protecting your child as they grow.
If you are looking for a vaccination chart for your child, you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will share the vaccination chart for babies in India along with tips to improve your little one’s immunity. Let’s start by understanding what an immunisation schedule is and how it differs from vaccination.
What is a Baby Immunisation Schedule?
Before looking at the baby vaccination chart, let’s understand what a baby immunisation schedule is. A baby immunisation schedule in India or any other country is referred to as a timetable or chart outlining when children should receive specific vaccines to protect them from diseases. The childhood immunisation schedule is designed to build immunity in kids over time. It starts from birth and continues into adolescence.
Are Immunisation and Vaccination the Same?
Parents often think that vaccination and immunisation are the same. However, they are different. Vaccination is the method of initiating a vaccine into the body to safeguard against a particular illness. Meanwhile, immunisation is the process of protecting oneself against an illness through vaccination. Now that you know what a childhood immunisation schedule is and how it’s different from vaccination, it’s time to have a closer look at a baby’s vaccine schedule.
Also Read: Most Important Vaccinations For Children
A Complete Guide to Baby’s Vaccination Chart
Here’s a detailed look at the vaccination chart for babies in India:
Birth
Baby immunisation begins with a vital first shot of the Hepatitis B vaccine, which is usually administered within 12-24 hours of birth. The Hepatitis B vaccine is designed to prevent infection by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which primarily affects the liver.
Note: Children who are not previously immunised can get this at any age.
1-2 months
After the first month of your child’s birth, you will need to get the second dose of Hepatitis B.
2 months
When your little one turns 2 months old, the vaccination chart for babies in India would include these:
- DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine
- Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine
- PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- RV: Rotavirus vaccine
These vaccines protect your child against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, pneumonia, and diarrhoea.
4 months
The next dose of DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV, and RV vaccines is administered to reinforce immunity.
6 months
The third dose of DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV, and RV vaccines is administered for sustained safeguard or depending on the brand of vaccine used in previous Hib or RB vaccinations.
6 months+
After your little one turns six months old, doctors add Influenza (flu vaccine) to the ‘baby vaccine schedule.’ This one’s given by injection with a needle (flu shot) or by nasal spray. Both work equally well.
Note: Kids younger than 9 who get the flu vaccine for the first time (or those that have had only one dose before July 2022) will get it in two separate doses at least a month apart. Children younger than 9 who have had at least 2 doses of flu vaccine (before 2022) will only need one dose. Children older than 9 need only one dose.
Also Read: Home Remedies for Baby’s Vaccination Pain Relief
- 6-18 months
- Hepatitis-B
- IPV
- 12-15 months
- Hib
- PCV13
- MMR
- VAR
12-23 months
Hepatitis-A (second dose 6 months later) to boost early childhood immunity.
15-18 months
DTap to boost early childhood immunity.
2-6 Years
Flu shot (annual, second dose 4 weeks later for first timers.)
- 4-6 Years
- DTap
- IPV
- MMR
- VAR
9+ Years
- HPV (you can start this one at 9 years or even wait until age 11 or 12.)
- Tdap (11 to 12 years.)
- MenACWY (11 to 12 years, and 16.)
The Vaccines: A Closer Look
Now that we have gone over the list of vaccines for babies, let’s understand how these vaccines protect your little ones.
- Hepatitis B Vaccine: This is the first vaccine for newborn babies, which protects them from the deadly Hepatitis B disease that can cause liver failure and even cancer.
- Rotavirus Vaccine (RV): Most doctors administer the RV vaccine in the vaccination chart for babies in India, as it protects against kids contracting the Rotavirus, which is the most common cause of severe vomiting and diarrhoea in infants and young children.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP and Tdap): With this one, your baby is protected from a trio of infections: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). Diphtheria brings about serious breathing and swallowing issues, while tetanus affects the nervous system and that whooping cough is very dangerous (even deadly) for babies less than one year old.
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Conjugate Vaccine (HiB): The HiB vaccine is often added to your baby’s vaccination chart to prevent Haemophilus influenzae caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. Haemophilus influenzae primarily affects children under the age of five and is one of the leading causes of meningitis, epiglottitis, pneumonia, and sepsis.
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV): Helps prevent diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including pneumonia and sinus infections.
- Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine: As the name suggests, it prevents polio, a life-threatening disease that can invade the spinal cord and possibly cause paralysis.
- Flu Vaccine: Last but not the least, this one reduces the risk that your child will catch the flu that infects the nose, upper airways and lungs.
Also Read: Post-Baby Immunisation: What to Expect and How to Care
5 Beneficial Ways to Increase Your Baby’s Immunity
Along with following the immunisation schedule for children in India, parents can also do these things to improve their child’s immunity:
- Consider breastfeeding for newborns: While this is a most personal decision, breastfeeding newborns is beneficial as it might reduce allergies.
- Promote regular hand washing: A whopping 80 percent of infections are spread by touch. Washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds can remove unwanted bacteria and viruses.
- Follow the Baby Vaccine Schedule to the T: Ensure you follow your paediatrician’s advice to the T, when it comes to that childhood vaccination schedule.
- Make sure your kids get enough sleep: When children don’t get enough sleep, it limits their body’s ability to produce proteins called cytokines that help fight infection and reduce inflammation.
- Give children a healthy diet: Teach your kids to ‘eat the rainbow’ when it comes to those nutritious fruits and vegetables. Obtaining sufficient vitamins is crucial for maintaining good health and a robust immune system.
5 Immune Booster Foods for Babies
Now that you know what you can do to increase your baby’s immunity, how about looking at food that will boost your little one’s immunity? Here’s a look at some of the top immune boosters for kids.
1. Probiotics
These are foods that contain live, good bacteria. They keep bad bacteria in check and even reduce the amount of the same that get into the blood from the intestine.
Foods rich in probiotics: curd, cheese
2. Prebiotics
These feed the good bacteria that help your baby fight infections!
Foods rich in prebiotics: bananas, tomatoes
3. Iron
Iron deficiency can affect the proper functioning of the immune system, leaving your child vulnerable to all kinds of infections.
Foods rich in iron: spinach, beans
4. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
These are the ‘good’ fats that help the immune system recognize and stave off infections.
Foods rich in EFAs: oily fishes like tuna, powdered flax seeds.
5. Spices
Some spices have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic properties that can complement your baby’s immune system.
Delicious spices: turmeric, cloves
Conclusion
With this blog, we aimed to educate parents about the baby vaccination chart. We at EuroKids are strong proponents of children getting vaccinated on time. A child’s immune system is not fully developed at birth. Thus, babies face an increased risk of becoming infected and seriously ill. How vaccination helps is that it protects your baby by helping build up their natural defences.
For informative and accurate articles on all things related to your newborn-toddler’s development, growth, health and nutrition, follow EuroKids Blogs and do check out our nationally recognised preschools – EuroKids for the first step in your kid’s educational journey!
Related Blogs:
- Overview of the Polio Vaccine: The polio vaccine has played a vital role in protecting children worldwide from poliomyelitis, a crippling disease caused by the poliovirus. In this blog, we will closely look at the polio vaccine.
- Tips to Overcome Fear of Needles in Kids: Many children experience anxiety before vaccinations due to their fear of needles. Parents and caregivers can help by offering comfort, distracting the child with toys or stories, practising relaxation techniques, or more.
- Importance of Regular Health Checkups for Children: Regular health checkups are essential for tracking a child’s growth, development, and overall well-being. These visits help doctors identify potential health issues early, update vaccinations, monitor nutrition, and provide guidance on healthy habits.
