How many vaccines does a child need?

According to the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biological Products, there are currently 12 types of vaccines that need to be administered to children, appropriate for each age group.

Hepatitis B vaccine

Newborns should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth; a second dose should be given approximately 1-2 months later; and at 6-18 months, a third of the initial dose should be given. The vaccine protects the baby against the Hepatitis B virus, which the baby can contract from the mother (if the mother was infected during pregnancy).

The most common side effects when children receive the hepatitis B vaccine are mild fever or swelling and pain at the injection site.

DTaP vaccine

The DTaP vaccine protects children from diphtheria (a bacterium that causes a child's throat to turn grayish-black), tetanus (a disease that causes muscle spasms and damages the child's bone structure), and pertussis (a common, highly contagious disease that is difficult to control).
You should vaccinate your child with the DTaP vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 months of age.

To reduce the number of injections, you can combine DTaP with your baby's vaccinations. For example, DTaP can be given along with the hepatitis B vaccine or the polio vaccine…

MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine helps protect children against measles (which causes high fever and rash in young children); mumps (which causes swelling of the face, salivary glands, and the penis in boys); and rubella (also known as German measles) (which can cause birth defects).

You should give your child the first dose of the MMR vaccine when they are 12-15 months old and the second dose when they are 4-6 years old.

Sometimes, the MMR vaccine may be given in combination with the chickenpox vaccine.

Chickenpox vaccine

Chickenpox is a dreaded childhood illness for many. It's caused by the varicella-zoster virus and can lead to infections and various complications.

Ideally, you should give your child the first dose of the chickenpox vaccine when they are 12-15 months old, and the second dose when they are 4-6 years old.

For sensitive children, common symptoms after vaccination include fever or a mild rash.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine

The Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine protects against the bacteria that causes meningitis – a common and particularly dangerous disease for children under 5 years old.

The Hib vaccine should be administered to children at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months of age.

Common side effects in children after receiving the Hib vaccine include fever, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Polio vaccine (IPV)

The polio vaccine is a significant medical achievement. Children can die if they contract the polio virus. Therefore, parents should vaccinate their children against polio at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and have them re-examined and given another dose when they are 4-6 years old.

Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)

This vaccine is known as PCV 13 (commonly called Prevnar 13). It protects children against viruses that cause meningitis, pneumonia, ear infections, blood infections, and other infections that can be fatal to young children.

With this vaccine, there are a total of 4 injections given to children at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months of age.

Common side effects after vaccination in children include drowsiness, swelling at the injection site, mild fever, or irritability.

Influenza vaccine

Each year, flu vaccinations for children should begin in the fall, when they are 6 months old or older.

Children may experience pain, swelling at the injection site, and a mild fever after receiving the flu vaccine.

Note: If your child has an egg allergy, you should not give them the flu vaccine because they may be allergic to the vaccine.

Rotavirus (RV) vaccine

Rotavirus is a cause of acute diarrhea and vomiting in children. Before a vaccine against this virus was successfully developed in 2006, approximately 55,000 American children were hospitalized each year due to infection with this virus.

The rotavirus vaccine, which is produced in liquid form, may cause mild discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea in children after administration.

Hepatitis A vaccine

Unhygienic eating and drinking habits are a major cause of hepatitis A in young children. Children may experience symptoms such as hepatitis, fever, fatigue, jaundice, and loss of appetite when infected with the hepatitis A virus.

Typically, children should receive their first hepatitis A vaccine dose at 12 months of age and their second dose at 23 months of age.

Pain at the injection site, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, etc., are common side effects after children receive vaccinations.

Meningitis vaccine (MCV4)

The vaccine protects children from bacteria that cause meningitis – a common disease that can infect the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

MCV4 is most effective when administered to children at age 11 or 12. A common side effect of this vaccine is soreness at the injection site.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) - Cervical cancer vaccine

The HPV vaccine is administered in three doses to children over 6 months of age. The vaccine is most effective for girls aged 9-26 years.

This vaccine protects children from two sexually transmitted viruses that cause cervical cancer.

According to VnMedia - NT