Vaccination Awareness for Parents

Every parent wants their child to be healthy. One of the simplest ways to protect that health is also one of the most proven. Vaccination trains your child's immune system to recognise and fight specific diseases before those diseases ever have a chance to cause harm.

In India, only 76.4% of children aged 12 to 23 months receive all basic vaccinations. That gap leaves a large number of children unprotected from diseases that are entirely preventable. This guide covers what your child needs, when, and what to do if you have fallen behind.

Why Is Vaccination Important?

A vaccine is not just for your child. It protects your family, your child's classmates, and the newborns and elderly around you who cannot be vaccinated themselves. Here is how vaccination benefits you and your community:

• It stops deadly infections that lead to disabilities or fatalities.
• When there are enough vaccinated individuals, the disease cannot find any other place to go and spread. This phenomenon is known as herd immunity and offers protection to those individuals who are ineligible for vaccination due to age or health problems.
• India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) reaches over 27 million newborns every year.

• WHO estimates that vaccines prevent 2 to 3 million deaths globally each year.

What Vaccines Does Your Baby Need in the First Year?

During the first 12 months, the risks are high. Some diseases for which vaccines are needed become more severe for babies within their first months of life, which is why vaccinations start at birth.

Below is the complete immunisation schedule for babies in India suggested by IAP 2024:

*DTwP or DTaP protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. 

*Hib protects against a bacteria that causes meningitis (swelling of the lining around the brain) and pneumonia in young children. 

*PCV protects against a common cause of childhood ear infections and pneumonia.

What Comes After the First Year?

Vaccination does not stop at 12 months. Several important doses are given in the toddler and preschool years, and gaps in the schedule leave your child unprotected during a period when they are mixing more with other children. Here is the complete childhood vaccines list from 15 months to 6 years, as per IAP 2024:

If your child has missed a dose, do not worry. Catch up vaccination is available at any age. A paediatrician can plan a schedule that fills the gaps without repeating what your child has already received.

Does Your Child Need Extra Vaccines for Travel?

International travel sometimes calls for vaccines beyond the routine schedule. Disease risks vary by country, and some vaccines are required before your child can even enter certain destinations.

Here is what to ask your doctor before any international trip:

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccine is required for entry into several countries in Africa and South America. It is recommended for children above 9 months of age. A single dose provides lifelong protection in most people. Plan this at least four weeks before you travel, as the vaccine needs time to become fully effective.

Hepatitis A and Typhoid

If your child has not already received the hepatitis A or typhoid vaccines, both are strongly recommended for travel to parts of Asia and Africa. Typhoid is also relevant for travel within certain parts of India. Speak to your doctor about what your child's current vaccination record shows before the trip.

What Are the Most Common Questions Parents Have?

Before a vaccine appointment, it is normal to feel uncertain. These concerns come up at almost every clinic visit, and most of them come down to the same few questions. Here are the ones parents ask most, with clear answers.

Will the Vaccine Cause Fever or Pain?

Some children develop a mild fever or feel soreness at the injection site. This is normal. It means the immune system is responding. It usually passes within a day or two. A paracetamol dose can help if the discomfort bothers your child.

Can My Child Receive More Than One Vaccine at a Time?

Yes, and this is routine. The immune system handles multiple vaccines at once without any trouble. It also means fewer clinic visits, which is easier on your child and your schedule.

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

No. A 1998 study suggested a link, but it was fully retracted and the researcher lost his medical licence. Since then, studies covering millions of children across the world have found no connection. The science on this is settled.

Get Your Child Vaccinated at Apollo Clinic!

Apollo Clinic provides a complete range of vaccination for children and vaccination for adults across its centres. So if you are starting your newborn's schedule, completing missed doses, or preparing for international travel with a yellow fever vaccine, the team at Apollo Clinic can guide you through every step. Search for vaccination near me and visit your nearest Apollo Clinic centre or book an appointment online today.

FAQs

1. What is the vaccination schedule for infants in India?

The IAP 2024 schedule starts at birth with BCG, Hepatitis B, and OPV. In the first 14 weeks, vaccines protect against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, rotavirus, and pneumococcal disease. By 12 months, over ten diseases are covered.

2. Is the yellow fever vaccine safe for children?

Yes. It is recommended for children above 9 months of age who are travelling to countries where yellow fever is present. It is not given to infants under 6 months.

3. Are childhood vaccines mandatory in India?

Vaccines under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) are free and strongly recommended but not legally mandatory. Some schools and international travel destinations may require proof of specific vaccines.

4. What should I do if my child missed a vaccine?

Talk to your paediatrician. Most vaccines can be given later, and a catch up plan will be put together based on your child's current vaccination record.