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National Immunization
Immunization is an artificial method to provide immunity against antigens through vaccines. Vaccines will restore the immune response in the body that results in the formation of antibodies that fight against diseases if the body experiences the same problem in the future. Every country has its own National Immunization Schedule Programme.
Immunization is a process to make a person immune or resistant to infectious diseases by taking vaccines that stimulate the body’s immune system. This process will be successful when all the people of the nation cooperates.
Immunization or Vaccination
Immunization is one of the global health and development success stories which saves millions of lives every year. Vaccines build natural defense protection in the body and work to reduce the risk of getting diseases.
Nearly the vaccines prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases that help for all the ages of people to live longer and healthier lives.
By implementing the National Immunization prevents 2-3 million deaths every year. The disease diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles are prevented.
Vaccines are also critical to prevent and control infectious disease outbreaks. This immunization will support global health security and vital tool to battle against antimicrobial resistance.
Effects of Vaccination
Sometimes vaccination also will have some side effects as pain at the injection spot and mild fever. DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) Vaccine will show some side effects and for measles, vaccine rashes may develop after use. After taking some vaccines may also cause allergies in babies.
In some cases, the baby may get a high fever and even lose consciousness after vaccinating, in such cases the baby must be taken to the doctor immediately. By consulting doctors and taking treatment correctly will result in complete recovery from fever.
National Immunization Schedule Chart 2020
Below is the latest National Immunization Schedule 2020 chart by the government of India.
| Age | Vaccination |
| Birth | Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)-0 dose, Hepatitis B birth dose |
| 6 Weeks | OPV-1, Pentavalent-1, Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV)-1, Fractional dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV)-1, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) -1 |
| 10 weeks | OPV-2, Pentavalent-2, RVV-2 |
| 14 weeks | OPV-3, Pentavalent-3, fIPV-2, RVV-3, PCV-2 |
| 9-12 months | Measles & Rubella (MR)-1, JE-1 , PCV-Booster |
| 16-24 months | MR-2, JE-2, Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus (DPT)-Booster-1, OPV – Booster |
| 5-6 years | DPT-Booster-2 |
| 10 years | Tetanus & adult Diphtheria (Td) |
| 16 years | Td |
| Pregnant Mother | Td-1, Td-2 or Td-Booster |
National Immunization Schedule Table for Pregnant Women, Infants & Children
For Pregnant Women
| Vaccine | When to give | Dose | Route | Site |
| Tetanus & adult Diphtheria (Td)- 1 | Early in pregnancy | 0.5 ml | Intra-muscular | Upper Arm |
| Td-2 | 4 weeks after Td- 1 | 0.5 ml | Intra-muscular | Upper Arm |
| Td- Booster | If received 2 TT/Td doses in a pregnancy within the last 3 years* | 0.5 ml | Intra-muscular | Upper Arm |
For Infants
| Vaccine | When to give | Dose | Route | Site |
| Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) | At birth or as early as possible till one year of age | 0.1ml (0.05ml until 1 month age) | Intra-dermal | Left Upper Arm |
| Hepatitis B – Birth dose | At birth or as early as possible within 24 hours | 0.5 ml | Intra-muscular | Antero-lateral side of mid- thigh |
| Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)-0 | At birth or as early as possible within the first 15 days | 2 drops | Oral | Oral |
| OPV 1, 2 & 3 | At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks (OPV can be given till 5 years of age) | 2 drops | Oral | Oral |
| Pentavalent 1, 2 & 3 | At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks (can be given till one year of age) | 0.5 ml | Intra-muscular | Antero-lateral side of mid- thigh |
| Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine(PCV) | Two primary doses at 6 and 14 weeks followed by Booster dose at 9-12 months | 0.5 ml | Intra-muscular | Antero-lateral side of mid- thigh |
| Rotavirus (RVV) | At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks (can be given till one year of age) | 5 drops (liquid vaccine) 2.5 ml (lyophilized vaccine) | Oral | Oral |
| Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) | Two fractional dose at 6 and 14 weeks of age | 0.1 ml | Intra dermal two fractional dose | Intra-dermal: Right upper arm |
| Measles Rubella (MR) 1st dose | 9 completed months-12 months. (Measles can be given till 5 years of age) | 0.5 ml | Sub-cutaneous | Right upper Arm |
| Japanese Encephalitis (JE) – 1 | 9 completed months-12 months. | 0.5 ml | Sub-cutaneous (Live attenuated vaccine) Intramuscular(Killed vaccine) | Left upper Arm (Live attenuated vaccine) Anterolateral aspect of mid-thigh (Killed vaccine) |
| Vitamin A (1st dose) | At 9 completed months with measles-Rubella | 1 ml ( 1 lakh IU) | Oral | Oral |
For Children
| Vaccine | When to give | Dose | Route | Site |
| Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus (DPT) booster-1 | 16-24 months | 0.5 ml | Intra-muscular | Antero-lateral side of mid-thigh |
| MR 2nd dose | 16-24 months | 0.5 ml | Sub-cutaneous | Right upper Arm |
| OPV Booster | 16-24 months | 2 drops | Oral | Oral |
| JE-2 | 16-24 months | 0.5 ml | Sub-cutaneous (Live attenuated vaccine) Intramuscular(Killed vaccine) | Left upper Arm (Live attenuated vaccine) Anterolateral aspect of mid-thigh (Killed vaccine) |
| Vitamin A (2nd to 9th dose) | 16-18 months. Then one dose every 6 months Up to the age of 5 years. | 2 ml (2 lakh IU) | Oral | Oral |
| DPT Booster-2 | 5-6 years | 0.5 ml. | Intra-muscular | Upper Arm |
| Td | 10 years & 16 years | 0.5 ml | Intra-muscular | Upper Arm |
Udyog Aadhar | Udyog Aadhar Online Registration Process, Eligibility
Note
- JE Vaccine is in select endemic districts after the campaign.
- The 2nd to 9th doses of Vitamin A can be given to children1-5 years old during biannual rounds, in collaboration with ICDS.
- PCV is given in selected states/districts: Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh (selected districts), and in Haryana as a state initiative
WHO – Immunization and Vaccines
- World Health Organization is working with all the countries to improve global vaccination coverage under the “global vaccine action plan 2011-2020.” WHO also
- Helps all the countries to give a commitment to immunization as the first priority. World Health Organisation is working with the countries to set targets, plans, and also to allocate sufficient financial and human resources.
- The organization also supports the individuals and communities to understand the benefits of vaccine and immunization demand as every countries rights and responsibility.
- Developing plans accordingly and supply materials to make sure that the vaccines reach every person.
- Vaccines strengthen the immunization system so that they can serve as a platform for delivering health interventions.
- It is also developing targeted research and development innovations to new and improved vaccines.
FAQs
What is National Immunization Schedule?
The national immunization schedule is a series of vaccination which include the timing and doses that are recommended and sometimes necessary.
This immunization schedule is also known as the vaccination schedule. Vaccines require multiple doses for maximum effectiveness to produce sufficient immune response and to boost the faded response.