Vaccine schedule for children: What shots to give & when

Vaccinations are important childhood milestones. There are so many vaccines to be given to children, that it might seem a little daunting to parents. This article will help you navigate through this important event in your child’s life.

It is important to first understand what vaccines are and why doctors recommend them. The immune system of the human body is based on the ability of the body to be able to differentiate between what is indigenous to it and what it considers a foreign object, which are called antigens. Antigens include disease causing pathogens. The response of the body to antigens is to produce antibodies.

Vaccines use this immunological principle to protect our bodies. Once you are exposed to a particular pathogen and survive that attack, your body develops what is called immunologic memory. In other words, your body can produce specific antibodies to fight the infection. Vaccines are based on this property of your body.

There are two kinds of vaccines. Live attenuated vaccines that make the pathogen harmless by reducing its virulence and at the same time keeps the pathogen alive. The result of this is that triggers an immune response from the body but does not cause an illness. So the next time you are exposed to that pathogen, the immune response of creating specific antibodies is triggered in your body before the pathogen can cause harm.

The second kind of vaccines are the inactivated vaccines. They work on the principle of introducing a pathogen into the body whose ability to reproduce has been taken away by chemicals or heat. Yet they retain the capacity to prompt an immune response from the body thus offering us immunity from the inactivated pathogen. Since the protection offered by such vaccines is not as strong as that offered by live attenuated vaccines, booster doses of such a vaccine are required to be given.

Now that you know how vaccines function, take a look at which vaccines are to be given to your child and at what age. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics offers the most comprehensive list of vaccines which should be given to children of 0 to 12 years. Here is the list for your reference.

by such vaccines is not as strong as that offered by live attenuated vaccines, booster doses of such a vaccine are required to be given.

Now that you know how vaccines function, take a look at which vaccines are to be given to your child and at what age. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics offers the most comprehensive list of vaccines which should be given to children of 0 to 12 years. Here is the list for your reference.

Note: This is a general guideline adapted from IAP immunization timetable. Always consult a paediatrician before administering any vaccinations.

At Aptech International Preschool, we organise periodic pediatric consultations for your child. Click here to know about our Safety First approach.