Baby vaccinations

The vaccinations also called immunizations are very effective and give infants power to resist
contagious and serious health conditions. This will protect the babies against many diseases
such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, polio virus, hepatitis B and
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.This immunization and vaccination schedule may vary
depending upon where you live, your child's health, the type of vaccine, and the vaccines
available. Ask your doctor about which vaccines your child should receive. Check with your
doctor or nurse to make sure your baby is getting immunized on time. Also make sure you ask
your doctor or nurse to give you a record card with all the dates of your baby's shots and be
sure to bring it to every visit.

Your baby need vaccinations or immunizations due to the following reasons. Vaccination is the
administration of antigenic material in the infant's body. The importance of immunization is
that it helps to protect the infant's body against any infectious disease. It offers the life- long
protection and security to the infant against deadly diseases which might invade its body any
time through out its life.

Your baby's vaccination and immunization schedule may recommend the following vaccines:

 Birth- Hepatitis B
 1-2 months- hepatitis B
 2 months- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine, Hib vaccine, polio vaccine,
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
 4 months- DTaP, Hib vaccine, polio vaccine, PCV.
 6 months- DTaP, Hib, polio (6-18 months), PCV, hepatitis B (6-18 months)
 12 months- MMR (12-15 months), Hib (12-15 months), chicken pox (12-18 months), PCV
(12-15 months)
 15 months- DTap (12-18 months)

Always ask your health care provider for more details.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that babies receive the following
vaccinations or immunizations (health care providers often use initials when they talk about
these vaccinations):

1. Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccines (DTaP): Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are
serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and Pertussis are spread from person to person.
Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.

Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat and nose. It can lead to breathing
problems, paralysis and heart attack.
Tetanus (Lockjaw) Vaccine: Tetanus causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over
the body. It can lead to locking of the jaw so the baby cannot open his mouth or swallow.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccine: Pertussis causes coughing spells so bad that is hard for
babies to eat, drink, or breathe. These spells can last for weeks. It can lead to pneumonia,
seizures and brain damage.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTaP) can help prevent these diseases. Most babies
who are vaccinated with DTaP will be protected throughout childhood.

Babies should get 5 doses of DTaP vaccine or immunization, one dose at each of the following
ages:

 2 months
 4 months
 6 months
 15-18 months
 4-6 years

 ;

Side effects of DTaP vaccine

 Babies may get fever
 Redness or swelling of the baby where the vaccine was given
 Soreness or tenderness where the vaccine was given.
 Some babies may get fussy after the vaccine was given.
 Tiredness or poor appetite

2. Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) Vaccination

Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) disease is a serious disease caused by a bacteria. It usually
strikes children under 5 years of age. Hib disease can cause pneumonia, severe swelling in the
throat, making it hard for babies to breathe, infections of the blood, joints, bones, and covering
of the heart.

Babies should get 4 doses of Hib vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:

 2 months
 4 months
 6 months
  12-15 months

Side effects of Hib vaccination

1. Babies may get fever

2. Redness or swelling of the baby where the vaccine was given.

Hib vaccine can prevent Hib disease.

 Babies may get fever

 Redness or swelling of the baby where the vaccine was given
 Soreness or tenderness where the vaccine was given.
 Some babies may get fussy after the vaccine was given.
 Tiredness or poor appetite

2. Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) Vaccination

Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) disease is a serious disease caused by a bacteria. It usually
strikes children under 5 years of age. Hib disease can cause pneumonia, severe swelling in the
throat, making it hard for babies to breathe, infections of the blood, joints, bones, and covering
of the heart.

Babies should get 4 doses of Hib vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:

 2 months
 4 months
 6 months
 12-15 months

Side effects of Hib vaccination

1. Babies may get fever

2. Redness or swelling of the baby where the vaccine was given.

Hib vaccine can prevent Hib disease.

5. Polio Vaccine
Polio is a disease caused by a virus. It enters a child's (or adult's) body through the mouth.
Sometimes it does not cause serious illness. But sometimes it causes paralysis. Inactivated polio
vaccine (IPV) can prevent polio. IPV is a shot, given in the leg or arm, depending on age. Most
people should get polio vaccine when they are children. Children should get 4 doses of IPV at
these ages.

 2 months
 4 months
 6-18 months
 4-6 years

Side effects of polio vaccine

Some babies who get IPV get a sore spot where the vaccine was given.

6. Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine:

Infection with streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria can cause serious illness. It is the leading
cause of bacterial meningitis in the United states. (Meningitis is an infection of the covering of
the brain).

Babies should get 4 doses of immunization, one dose at each of these ages:

 2 months
 4 months
 6 months
 12-15 months

The number of doses needed depends on the child's age. Always ask your health care provider
for more details.

Side effects of Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine:

1. Baby may get fever.

2. Redness or swelling can occur where the vaccine was given.

3. Some baby also became fussy or drowsy, or had a loss of appetite.