VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PART I

VACCINES FOR CHILDREN

Do remember that there are a few essential vaccines that should be always administered to all the children. Some of the other vaccinations are optional and maybe administered depending on the risk of exposure to the condition.  

Some of the commonly available vaccines used in children are listed below:

1. BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine: The BCG vaccine is an anti-tuberculosis vaccine. It is a live attenuated vaccine administered to babies at birth. It is injected into the skin of the outer arm. A small swelling appears around 7 to 10 days following the injection, which then ulcerates and heals leaving a scar. The immunity conferred by the BCG vaccine is not permanent and not entirely predictable. It usually lasts for 15 to 20 years.

2. Polio vaccines: There are two types of polio vaccines, the oral polio vaccine and the inactivated polio vaccine. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), also called Sabin vaccine, is a live attenuated vaccine administered as 2 drops orally usually at birth and around 6, 10 an 14 weeks, and later at 1.5 years and 5 years of age. Under the ‘Pulse Polio Immunization Program’, in an attempt to eradicate the disease, it is administered in addition, twice a year to all children less than 5 years of age. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), also called the Salk vaccine is an injectable vaccine that is preferred in some countries in their immunization schedules.