Comprehensive Guide to Vaccines and Immunization Schedule for Babies

ByEuroKids Hours
Comprehensive Guide to Vaccines and Immunization Schedule for Babies

Baby Immunization Schedule 2023

 While the Coronavirus Pandemic is well and truly behind us, none of us will ever forget the disastrous implications it had for people the world over. That being said, taking care of one’s health now seems more important than ever.

What more precious, then, than the health of your little one? That being said, it is essential to boost your child’s immunity alongside following the schedule of recommended immunizations that might vary, based on where you live, your child’s health, the type of vaccines and even, vaccine availability.

Let’s begin by perusing the vaccines your child will be needing, from birth onwards.

Baby Immunization Schedule

Here is the baby immunization schedule that is recommended for the year 2023, from birth onwards.

Birth

  • Hepatitis B vaccine. Baby immunization begins with a vital first shot of the Hepatitis B vaccine, which is usually administered within 12-24 hours of birth. Note: Children who are not previously immunized can get this at any age.

1-2 months

  • Hepatitis B second dose. Don’t forget this follow up dose to the one given at childbirth.

2 months

  • DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine
  • Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
  • IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine
  • PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
  • RV: Rotavirus vaccine

4 months

  • DTaP
  • Hib
  • IPV
  • PCV
  • RV

6 months

  • DTaP
  • Hib: The third dose might be needed depending on the brand of vaccine used in previous Hib vaccinations.
  • PCV
  • Again, needed depending on the previously used RB vaccination brands.

6 months +

  • Influenza (flu vaccine). This one’s given by injection with a needle (flu shot) or by nasal spray. Both work equally well. Note: Kids younger than 9 who get the flu vaccine for the first time (or those that have had only one dose before July 2022), will get it in two separate doses at least a month apart. Children younger than 9 who have had at least 2 doses of flu vaccine (before 2022) will only need one dose. Children older than 9 need only one dose.

6-18 months

  • Hepatitis-B
  • IPV

12-15 months

  • Hib
  • PCV13
  • MMR
  • VAR

12-23 months

  • Hepatitis-A (second dose 6 months later.)

15-18 months

  • DTap

2-6 Years

  • Flu shot (annual, second dose 4 weeks later for first timers.)

4-6 Years

  • DTap
  • IPV
  • MMR
  • VAR

9+ Years

  • HPV (you can start this one at 9 years or even wait until age 11 or 12.)
  • Tdap (11 to 12 years.)
  • MenACWY (11 to 12 years, and 16.)

The Vaccines: A Closer Look

Want to know exactly what the vaccines enlisted above, safeguard your kids from? Here’s a quick runthrough.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

This one protects against the deadly Hepatitis B disease that can cause liver failure and even cancer.

Rotavirus Vaccine (RV)

This protects against kids contracting the Rotavirus, which is the most common cause of severe vomiting and diarrhoea in infants and young children.

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP and Tdap)

With this one, your baby is protected from a trio of infections: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). Diphtheria brings about serious breathing and swallowing issues, while tetanus affects the nervous system and that whooping cough is very dangerous (even deadly) for babies less than one year old.

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Conjugate Vaccine (HiB)

Helps prevent against HiB, one of the leading causes of the deadly ‘meningitis’, in children under 5 years old.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)

Helps prevent diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including pneumonia and sinus infections.

Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine

As the name suggests, it prevents polio, a life-threatening disease that can invade the spinal cord and possibly cause paralysis.

Flu Vaccine

Last but not the least, this one reduces the risk that your child will catch the flu that infects the nose, upper airways and lungs.

How to Increase Baby Immunity

Looking for some vital tips to increase baby immunity? Here’s what you can do!

  • Consider breastfeeding for newborns. While this might be a most personal decision, breastfeeding newborns is beneficial as it might possibly reduce allergies.
  • Promote regular hand washing. A whopping 80 percent of infections are spread by touch. Washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds can remove unwanted bacteria and viruses.
  • Don’t skip immunizations. Ensure you follow your pediatrician’s advice to the tee, where it comes to that childhood vaccination schedule.
  • Make sure your kids get enough sleep. When children don’t get enough sleep, it limits their body’s ability to produce proteins called cytokines that help fight infection and reduce inflammation.
  • Give children a healthy diet. Teach your kids to ‘eat the rainbow’ when it comes to those nutritious fruits and vegetables. Getting enough vitamins is integral in maintaining good health and a strong immune system.

Immune Booster for Babies

Now that you know what you can do to increase your baby’s immunity, how about zoning in on an immune booster for babies (or perhaps several), that will give their immunity an even greater push? Here’s a look at some of the top immune boosters for kids.

Probiotics

These are foods that contain live, good bacteria. They keep bad bacteria in check and even reduce the amount of the same that get into the blood from the intestine.

Foods rich in probiotics: curd, cheese

Prebiotics

These feed the good bacteria that help your baby fight infections!

Foods rich in prebiotics: bananas, tomatoes

Iron

Iron deficiency can affect the proper functioning of the immune system, leaving your child vulnerable to all kinds of infections.

Foods rich in iron: spinach, beans

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

These are the ‘good’ fats that help the immune system recognize and stave off infections.

Foods rich in EFAs: oily fishes like tuna, powdered flax seeds.

Spices

Some spices have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic properties that can complement your baby’s immune system.

Delicious spices: turmeric, cloves

We at EuroKids are strong proponents of children getting vaccinated on time. A child’s immune system is not fully developed at birth. Thus, babies face an increased risk of becoming infected and seriously ill. How vaccination helps is, it protects your baby by helping build up their natural defenses.