Vaccines for New Born Babies
Dr. P Meganathan, Consultant Paediatrician, Kauvery Hospital, shares informative insights regarding vaccination for newborn babies and how they protect them from a host of ailments.
Why vaccinate?
Vaccination is an essential part of protecting your child. Diseases that used to be very harmful to children have now been eliminated, primarily due to safe and effective vaccines.
Necessary vaccinations for newborn babies
DPT vaccine (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus vaccine)
Diphtheria is caused by bacteria and can lead to breathing difficulty, heart failure, paralysis, and even death. Whooping cough or Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Tetanus is a severe bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and can lead to death. The DPT vaccine protects against these illnesses. It is given as one dose at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 through 18 months, and 4 through 6 years.
Pneumococcal vaccine
Pneumococcal disease is a respiratory infection caused by bacteria. Babies should receive four doses of the vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months and 1 booster shot at 12 to 15 months.
Rotavirus vaccine
Rotavirus infections can cause severe diarrhea in children. The first dose should be given before a child is 15 weeks of age, and doses should be completed before 8 months.
Hib vaccine
Haemophilus Influenza type B is a bacterium responsible for severe pneumonia, meningitis, and other invasive diseases almost exclusively in children. The first dose of HIB vaccine is at 2 months of age, and it should be completed at 12-15 months.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. The first dose is recommended within 24 hours of birth, with either two or three more doses given after that.
Poliomyelitis vaccine
Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus and affects the central nervous system. A primary series of three IPV doses are given at 2 months of age. A booster dose is administered after at least 6 months.
- Dec 31, 2020