Children have an immature immune system and therefore they do not have any natural immunity against several conditions. So they have an increased risk of contracting infections and diseases like mumps, rubella, typhoid and hepatitis B. Today most of the children die from vaccine preventable diseases such as measles diphtheria, tetanus and pneumonia. Vaccines help to protect the child against a variety of preventable diseases. So every child must be properly vaccinated.

Some of the mandatory vaccines recommended by the government of India include the BCG, oral polio vaccine, DPT, measles and tetanus toxoid. Hepatitis B and MMR are also included. There are some optional vaccines also that include hepatitis B, MMR, typhoid, HiB vaccine, injectable polio vaccine and human papilloma virus vaccine, Hepatitis A, chicken pox, pneumococcal vaccine and the rotavirus vaccine.

When germs enter the child’s body, the immune system recognizes them as foreign substances or usually known as antigens. The immune system then produces the antibodies to fight against these antigens. Vaccines contain antigens that cause diseases. However, the antigens in vaccines are weakened or killed. That is they cannot produce the symptoms of the disease, but they stimulate the immune system to create antibodies. These antibodies help protect the child if he is exposed to the disease ever in future.

DPT Vaccine: It is given when the child is 1 1/2, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 months old with a booster at the age of 1 1/2 years. It protects against three diseases that includes Diptheria, Polio and Tetanus.

Polio Vaccine: It is given at the age of 1 1/2, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 months along with the DPP vaccine. Booster doses are given at the age of 18 months. Polio is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent muscle paralysis or weakness.

BCG Vaccine: The vaccine is administered right after the birth or as early as possible. It protects against Tuberculosis.

DTaP vaccine: It is 3 vaccines in 1 shot. It protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

Td vaccine: It is used as a booster to the DTaP vaccine. It helps prevent tetanus and diphtheria. It is given when the child is 11 years old or older and every 10 years throughout life.

IPV vaccine: The inactivated poliovirus vaccine helps prevent polio. It's given 4 times as a shot.

MMR vaccine: This vaccine protects against the measles, mumps and rubella. It's given as 2 shots.

Hib vaccine: The Hib vaccine helps prevent Haemophilus influenza type b, a leading cause of serious illness in children. It can lead to meningitis, pneumonia and a severe throat infection that can cause choking. The Hib vaccine is given as a series of 3 or 4 shots.

HBV vaccine: This vaccine prevents hepatitis B virus (HBV), an infection of the liver that leads to liver cancer. The vaccine is given as a series of 3 or 4 shots.

Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), is the cause of the common jaundice and is easily transmitted from one person to another. The Hepatitis A vaccine is given in two doses to children who have completed one year of age.

Chicken pox (Varicella): The varicella vaccine is quite expensive and is given as a single dose after 15 months of age and protects against chickenpox.

Rotavirus: Rotavirus causes infection of the GI tract, leading to dehydrating diarrhea in infants and children. It is given to infants below six months of age. It is given in two doses and protects against the rotavirus.

Measles Vaccine: It is given at a age of 9 months and protects against measles.