Vaccinations are vital to building your child’s immunity and it’s important now more than ever to get your child’s vaccinations in check. That’s the first thing you need to do as a parent. Falling behind your child’s vaccination schedule could result in fatal consequences. Right from the birth of your child, you need to follow an immunization schedule. To help you understand more about it, here’s everything you need to know about the latest vaccine schedule in India 2022. Keep reading to know about the types of vaccines involved and a few pointers to keep in mind.
It’s important to not only know about but also follow a vaccine schedule for the wellbeing of your child.
What Is A Vaccine Schedule
Having and following a vaccine schedule is extremely important. We have government campaigns urging parents to follow schedules so that their children receive optimum protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. Before getting into why following a vaccine schedule is mandatory, it’s necessary to understand what a vaccine schedule is all about. Simply put, a vaccine schedule is a list of all recommended vaccinations by the government, including the timings and frequency of doses. A vaccine helps in building and protecting immunity or at least reduces the effects of a virus. And that’s why they are so important. Some vaccines will require booster doses after a certain period to strengthen the already introduced antigen from fading over time. The government chalks these vaccination schedules in close connection with physician groups and approves only after thorough research. The main aim of these schedules is to reduce the number of interactions with healthcare providers. So, that’s why the government is so keen on asking people to follow one. In the years to come, vaccination schedules may include more recommended vaccines so that the child receives thorough immunization from any new strains of viruses.
Latest Vaccine Schedule In India 2022
In India, we have two main vaccination schedules that are mainly followed: the National Immunization Schedule (NIS), and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics’ Immunization Schedule (IAP). Let us take a look into both these schedules and understand the differences between them in brief. Under India’s Universal Immunization Program (UIP), the National Immunization Schedule (NIS) provides the necessary vaccines recommended by the government against vaccine-preventable diseases. They are administered all over the country, free of cost, and can be availed at any government health center. The government recommends the vaccines only after the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) approves them. Here’s a list of all the government-recommended vaccines, as per the NIS, that are a part of the latest vaccine schedule in India 2022.
- BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin)
- Hepatitis B
- OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) – 0,1,2,3
- IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine)
- Pentavalent 1,2,3
- Rotavirus
- Measles
- Vitamin A
- DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus)
- TT
The second schedule that’s available in India is the IAP. It provides all the vaccines recommended by the government and in addition, recommends a few special ones to further strengthen the child’s immunity. However, they’re available at private healthcare systems and they’re not free of charge. The Advisory Committee of Experts on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) is responsible for the planning of these schedules. Here’s a list of the additional vaccines included in this schedule.
- Meningococcal Vaccine
- JE (Japanese Encephalitis)
- Cholera
- Rabies
- Yellow Fever
- PPSV 23 (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine)
Important Points To Note
- There are various rumors doing the rounds on social media questioning the credibility of vaccines. They discuss mainly the side-effects of vaccination and associate various rumors that come along with it. And hence, many parents are a bit apprehensive about vaccinating their children. But an important point that often gets lost while discussing vaccinations is that: being unvaccinated poses a greater threat than the vaccine having any side effects.
- If you delay your child’s vaccination, they are not only being a vulnerable target to vaccine-preventable diseases but also increase the risk of others as well. The more people take vaccination seriously, the less spread of diseases, and better control of the situation. Newborns who aren’t fully vaccinated, and children who are on medication are the ones who are at higher risk since their immune system is not strengthened. And if they come in contact with the virus, the results could be detrimental to their health and to those around them, thus increasing the spread of the disease.
- For all the reasons above, child vaccination is extremely crucial. And even more crucial is to follow a vaccination schedule. Before your child is born, you can find out about a few vaccination centers to reach out to. Make a list of all government-aided or private hospitals, health care centers, and medical colleges near you. You can even vaccinate your child at a pediatric consultation. But, enquire with your pediatrician first about whether they do vaccinations or not. If not, then you can always select another one if you prefer your child to get vaccinated by a pediatrician.
- Policies on vaccines vary from state to state. Though most vaccines in the NIS are common for children all across the country, there might be a few changes as per the geographical climatic situations and requirements. It’s best to update yourself with the terms of vaccination in the state you’re living in. As soon as your child is brought into this world, vaccinations will begin and will progress till their mid-teenage years. Your pediatrician will guide you through some of the most important vaccinations your child deserves so that there is no further delay in administering them.
- Last but not least, read more about the importance of immunizations. Educate yourself, teach others about the importance as well. And don’t fall prey to myths and misconceptions. Ensure that you base your research only on verified sources.
Make sure to follow the latest vaccine schedule in India 2022 to strengthen your child’s immunity.
Conclusion
Now you know what the latest vaccine schedule in India 2022 is all about – the two major immunization programs and the vaccines included in them. Be sure that you follow this schedule so that your child receives full immunity and protection against life-threatening diseases. To make sure that you’re on track with your child’s immunizations, you can download the ImmunifyMe app. It features vaccination reminders, doctor consultations, and more. The app will help to make parenting a bit easier and convenient.
FAQs On Latest Vaccine Schedule In India 2022
Can BCG Be Given At Any Age?
BCG is important to protect children from any strain of TB (Tuberculosis). It’s recommended to give this vaccine, particularly when the child is less than 12 months old since the potency of the vaccine varies if administered after 12 months.
What Is The Full Form Of DPT?
Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine (DPT) protects against various forms of throat, chest, and infections spread through cuts, or wounds.
What Is The Difference Between Immunization And Vaccination?
Both terms often overlap each other and can confuse some people. Putting it simply, vaccination is the process when a person is administered the vaccine. Immunization is the result of the administered vaccine. A person is immune when the vaccine protects the body from a specific disease.