What is the BCG vaccine?
The BCG vaccine is an injection given to children who have a higher risk of catching TB. The BCG vaccine helps your child’s immune system fight the germs that cause TB and helps stop them from getting serious TB disease. The BCG vaccine is FREE for children under five years of age who have a higher risk of catching TB.
Who should have the BCG vaccine?
The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is given to children under five years of age who have a higher risk of catching TB.Your child has a higher risk of catching TB and is eligible for free BCG vaccine if he or she: will be living in a house or family/whānau with a person with either current TB or a past history of TB has one or both parents or household members or carers who (within the last five years) have lived for a period of six months or longer in a country with high rates of TB will be living for three months or longer (during their first five years) in a country with high rates of TB and will be likely to be exposed to those with TB.
Your midwife or doctor will advise if your child is at higher risk of catching TB. As a general indication, the following areas have high rates of TB:most of Africa much of South America Russia and the former Soviet states the Indian subcontinent China, including Hong Kong; Taiwan (ROC) South East Asia some Pacific nations (except the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau and Tonga).
Hep B Vaccine
The Hepatitis B vaccine is given to the baby to prevent liver diseases caused by the Hepatitis B virus, which can cause liver cancer, liver failure and in some cases, death. Infected kids can also pass on the ailment to others without even knowing it, hence, the vaccine is a must! The first dose of vaccine is given at birth. RECOMBIVAX HB Hepatitis B baby vaccine is non- infectious and is created out of genetic recombination. It is made with the help of yeast.
Oral Polio Vaccine
Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is given to prevent the polio disease in your child. It can be given orally (OPV) or via injection(IPV). OPV is a polio vaccine. It is made up of an inactivated non-wild strain of the virus which helps produce antibodies within the body. Your child will get a total of four doses of this immunization, out of which the first one will be at birth. Health Ministry of India also conducts Pulse Polio Mission or Pulse Polio Abhiyan at regular interval every year.
Inactivated Polio Vaccine
Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is given to prevent the polio disease in your child. It can be given orally (OPV) or via injection(IPV). OPV is a polio vaccine. It is made up of an inactivated non-wild strain of the virus which helps produce antibodies within the body. Your child will get a total of four doses of this immunization, out of which the first one will be at birth. Health Ministry of India also conducts Pulse Polio Mission or Pulse Polio Abhiyan at regular interval every year.
DTP Vaccine
To shield your baby against diseases like Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP), which is also commonly known as a whooping cough, this vaccine is mandatory. The vaccine is a combination of three antigens-Diphtheria toxoids, Tetanus toxoid, and Pertussis. These antigens are inactivated to create the DTP vaccine. On receiving the vaccine, antibodies are produced within the body to fight occurrence of the diseases. Your child will get a total of three doses of this immunization, which would be followed by booster doses. The first dose of this vaccination needs to be given at six weeks.
Rota V Vaccine
Rota V vaccine is essential to protect your child against Rotavirus infection which can cause severe diarrhea in children. The rotavirus vaccine is composed of 5 strains of inactivated rotaviruses. It is developed using DNA technology to build immunity in the infants against rotavirus infection. Your child will receive a total of three doses of this immunization, the first one being at six weeks.
