The BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin) vaccine is a freeze-dried product made from bacteria, used to protect against tuberculosis.
It provides protection against serious forms of childhood tuberculosis, such as TB meningitis and miliary TB.
Only one dose is needed at birth. It can be administered up to 1 year of age if missed at birth.
The dose is 0.1 ml, given intradermally (just under the skin).
- 1 to 6 weeks: A small red blister may form at the injection site. - 6 to 12 weeks: The blister may become a small, weeping sore. - Up to 3 months: The sore will heal, usually leaving a small scar. This is normal.
The BCG vaccine is available for free at government hospitals on specific days. You can also get it at a pediatrician’s clinic.
It is administered on the left upper arm for uniformity and to help healthcare workers easily verify the vaccination.
By one year, many children naturally acquire some immunity to TB. BCG protects against severe forms of childhood tuberculosis in this early stage.
No, there is no need to re-vaccinate even if a scar does not appear.
Initial symptoms of polio include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and limb pain. In some cases, it leads to paralysis, which is often permanent. There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented through immunization.
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): Taken orally as drops. It is the main preventive measure against polio. - Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): Given by injection. In countries using OPV, it is administered in addition to OPV to further strengthen immunity.
- bOPV: 4 doses and a booster dose. Given at birth, 1½ months, 2½ months, 3½ months, and a booster at 16-18 months. - IPV: 2 doses. Given at 1½ months and 3½ months.
The polio vaccine is available for free at government hospitals on specific days each week. You can also get it from your pediatrician.
Both vaccines together provide the best protection against polio.
Yes, IPV is one of the safest vaccines available.
Mild side effects may include redness and tenderness at the injection site.
Yes, OPV is still the main measure against polio until it is globally eradicated. IPV is recommended in addition to, not instead of, OPV.
Children under 5 need repeated doses to build strong immunity. Continuous vaccination helps prevent the virus from surviving in vaccinated children, contributing to global eradication.
Yes, the vaccine can be safely administered even when a child has these conditions.
Yes, polio still exists in countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Vaccination protects against potential virus importation until polio is completely eradicated worldwide.
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can lead to chronic infection, liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and even death.
HBV is transmitted through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Common ways of infection include: - Perinatal transmission (from mother to baby at birth) - Unsafe injections or blood transfusions
There is no cure for Hepatitis B, so prevention through vaccination is the best way to protect against the disease.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective, with more than 95% of children developing adequate antibodies after the recommended series of three doses.
Pneumococcal disease is an illness caused by bacteria called pneumococcus.
- Pneumococcal pneumonia (lung infection) - Pneumococcal meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering) - Blood infection (bacteremia and sepsis) - Middle ear infections (otitis media)
- PCV-1: At 6 weeks - PCV-2: At 14 weeks - PCV booster: At 9 months
A 0.5 ml dose is given via intramuscular injection.
Most children don’t experience side effects, but mild reactions can include: - Irritability - Crying - Swelling - Tenderness - Transient fever