It is quite unfortunate to see that even in today's medically advanced world, some old but potentially dangerous diseases are still present in many parts of the world. Prevention is always better than the cure, and that's certainly true in case of these diseases. That is the reason why it is important to get your baby immunized or vaccinated to ensure they stay healthy. Keep reading to find out more about specific diseases, vaccinations, and a vaccination chart for babies in India.

What Is Vaccination?

Vaccination involves administering a certain breed of viruses or bacteria to you, so that your immune system may develop immunity against it. With vaccination, your immune system knows how to protect your body when the same infection-causing bacteria or viruses enter your system. You need to know that these bacteria administered to you are weakened ones and cannot cause any infection on their own. Modern vaccines can easily expose your body to a very small amount of weakened or inactivated bacteria or viruses. Your immune system will recognize these organisms and prepare itself to fight activated bacteria that may enter your system in the future. Sometimes, you will also have to go for a booster vaccination to ensure that your immune system prepares itself properly to fight a real infection in the future.

Important Vaccinations in India

The Indian Government has mandated several vaccines and has made them available at low price in government run hospitals. Here's a bit more about different vaccinations that you should know before learning more about the vaccination chart for babies in India.

BCG or Bacillus Calmette Guerin Vaccine

Your infant should get the BCG vaccine to develop immunity against tuberculosis, which is a very harmful disease. Your doctor will inject the vaccine in the outer skin of the arm of your baby. It is important to bear in mind that immunity offered by this vaccine may not last beyond 15 years.

OPV or Oral Polio Vaccine

Polio or poliomyelitis causes paralysis, so it is extremely important to give your baby the OPV vaccine, which is a live attenuated vaccine. The Indian Government has started pulse polio immunization program to ensure that children up to 5 years of age get polio vaccine free of cost twice a year.

DPT Vaccine

The vaccine provides your baby immunity against three diseases, including tetanus, diphtheria, and pertusis (whooping cough). Your infant will receive it intramuscularly when they are 1.5 months, 2.5 months, and 3.5 months old. Your child should get a second dose of DPT vaccine at 1.5 years of age. Upon reaching the age of 5, children will again get a dose of the Double DT Vaccine to prevent tetanus and diphtheria. Tetanus vaccine is repeated when your child turns 10.

MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) Vaccine

Your baby should receive MMR vaccine because it provides protection against mumps, measles, and German measles. Your baby will receive a dose of monovalent measles vaccination at the age of 9 months. They will get another dose at 12-15 months of age.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

The hepatitis B virus can affect your liver, so it is important to ensure that your baby gets the hepatitis B vaccine to develop immunity against it. Your baby will receive the hepatitis B immune globulin and the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, especially when the mother is a carrier. Your baby should get the hepatitis B vaccine at different stages if the mother is tested negative for the virus.

Vaccination Schedule for Babies in India

It is now clear how important it is to vaccinate your baby to protect them from harmful diseases. It is equally important to have complete information about vaccination schedule. You can find a vaccination chart for babies in Indiaand use it to ensure that you don't miss a dose. Here's more about the schedule for vaccination:

At Birth

Certain vaccinations need to be given right at the time of birth. The list includes oral polio vaccination, BCG vaccination of TB, and the first dose of hepatitis B.

At 6 Weeks

Your newborn should receive another dose of hepatitis B and OPV vaccines at 6 weeks. This is the same age when your baby should get the first dose of DTP for protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. They should also receive their first dose of haemophilus influenza and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. It is important to know that pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines are not compulsory, but you should ensure that your baby get these vaccines if you travel out of India.

At 10 Weeks

When your baby is 10 weeks old, it's time to get him/her another dose of DTP as well as oral polio vaccine. They should also get their second doses of rotavirus vaccine, haemophilus influenza vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. You may have to give your baby at least three doses of rotavirus vaccinations depending on the brand of vaccine you choose.

At 14 Weeks

After your baby is 14 weeks old, you should take him/her to the clinic for the third dose of DTP, third dose of haemophilus influenza, third dose of hepatitis B, and another dose of oral polio vaccine.

At 18 Months

Your infant should get hepatitis A, measles, rubella, mumps measles, DTP, varicella, and polio vaccines. The second dose of MMR vaccine will also be given during this time.

Vaccination Chart for Babies in India

As you can see, you will have to keep track of how many doses of a particular vaccine your baby has received already. The best thing is to keep a vaccination chart for babies in Indiaand follow it to ensure that your baby stays healthy.