Immunization in Children
Immunization is crucial for the health and well-being of children, especially in childcare settings. Let’s explore some important aspects:
National Immunization Schedule (NIS):
- The NIS outlines the recommended vaccines for infants, children, and pregnant women.
- For infants, the schedule includes vaccinations like BCG, Hepatitis B (birth dose), OPV (oral polio vaccine), Pentavalent, Rotavirus, IPV (inactivated polio vaccine), and Measles/MR (measles-rubella).
- Children receive booster doses for DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), additional doses of Measles/MR, OPV booster, and Vitamin A supplementation.
- Pregnant women are advised to receive Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccinations during pregnancy1.
Why Childhood Immunizations Are Important:
- Vaccinations protect children from deadly diseases like polio, tetanus, and diphtheria.
- They also contribute to community safety by reducing the spread of dangerous diseases among children2.
Immunization Requirements for Childcare:
- In many places, unimmunized children cannot be enrolled in childcare centers unless they have a recognized catch-up schedule or medical reasons for exemption.
- Children too young to be immunized (under 2 months of age) are an exception3.
Child Care Subsidy and Immunization:
- To qualify for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A or child care fee assistance, children under 20 must meet immunization requirements.
- These requirements align with the Department of Health and Aged Care’s age-appropriate early childhood vaccination schedule4.
UNICEF’s Efforts in India:
- UNICEF emphasizes the importance of routine immunization for infants.
- Sadly, more than half of the world’s most vulnerable children still miss out on essential vaccines.
- Immunization remains one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to protect children’s lives and futures5.
Remember, timely immunization not only safeguards individual health but also contributes to a healthier community.
Immunization Requirements in Child Care
Most child care programs require that children be up-to-date on all immunizations. Parents who are enrolling their children in a child care program for the first time may have to supply a copy of each child’s immunization records. Child care directors and family child care providers keep those records in each child’s file to ensure that all children in the program are properly protected from diseases. Parents are responsible for keeping their child’s record updated. Many child care programs request updated immunization records from parents once a year in order to be sure the information is current.
Types of Immunizations
The following are some of the diseases for which routine immunizations are available. Each immunization has its own schedule. Most immunizations require more than one dose to be effective.
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (German measles)
- Polio
- Meningitis
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Rotavirus
- Influenza