Updates on the expanded immunization program for children

In 2018, the Ministry of Health made changes in the vaccination of children. This article will give you a better understanding of the Extended Immunization Program updates.

Vaccination is essential for young children and infants to prevent dangerous infectious diseases. Knowing the vaccinations to take and the vaccination schedule is how you keep your baby healthy. Below are the Health Department expanded immunization changes that you need to know about.

Add 3 new vaccines

Under the expanded immunization program, 3 new vaccines will be added after pilot vaccination in several provinces. These 3 vaccines include:

2. Injection polio vaccine (IPV)

3. New 5-in-1 combination vaccine

Quinvaxem vaccine (prevention of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus,  hepatitis B  and Hib pneumonia / meningitis) vaccine has been given to children under 1 year of age as part of the vaccination program over the years. extend. Currently, producer Berna Biotech (Korea) has stopped producing this vaccine. As expected, the remaining Quinvaxem vaccine will be used until the end of May 2018 nationwide. Therefore, the Ministry of Health will pilot the new 5-in-1 vaccine in 4 provinces. The department then included the vaccine in a nationwide vaccination program around the end of the second quarter of 2018.

Add some dangerous vaccines

1. BCG vaccine: Vaccines  rooms tuberculosis  should be vaccinated as soon as possible after the child is born.

Hepatitis B newborn dose:  Hepatitis B vaccine and should be given to the baby within 24 hours of birth.

Quinvaxem vaccine  is injected with 3 doses including:

1st injection: when the child is 2 months old

2nd injection: when the child is 3 months old

3rd shot: when the child is 4 months old

4. OPV vaccine  helps to prevent polio with 3 oral doses:

1st dose: when the child is 2 months old.

2nd dose: when the child is 3 months old.

3rd dose: when the child is 4 months old.

From the beginning of 2016, a 4-month-old child is given an extra dose of inactivated polio vaccine to prevent the disease.

5. Measles vaccine  includes 2 injections:

1st shot: when the child is 9 months old.

2nd injection: when the child is 18 months old.

Currently, the measles-Rubella (MR) combination vaccine has been replaced by a single measles vaccine at the age of 18 months.

6. The booster vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DPT)  is given at the age of 18 months.

7. Japanese encephalitis vaccine: Children need 3 shots to prevent Japanese encephalitis .

1st nose: when the child is 1 year old

2nd nose: 2 weeks away from the first

3rd nose: 1 year from second nose.

8. Cholera vaccine:  Used for children aged 2-5 years in areas at risk of epidemic outbreaks. Cholera vaccine consists of 2 oral doses, the second dose is taken 2 weeks after the first dose.

Essential vaccines are not part of the extensive vaccination program

As recommended by the pediatrician, in order to help children get the best immune system, avoid dangerous infectious diseases, in addition to the full vaccination in the above expanded immunization program, you should note for your baby to inject other necessary vaccines. Vaccines that fall outside the recommended expanded immunization list for the child include:

1. Pneumococcal vaccine: Prevention of meningitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis ... caused by Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) :

Children from 6 weeks to 6 months old. 

3 + 1 treatment (recommended for optimal efficacy):

Dose 1: can be used starting at 6 weeks of age (but usually used when 2 months old).

The 2nd dose: at least 1 month after the 1st dose.

The 3rd dose: at least 1 month after the 2nd dose.

The repeat dose is indicated at least 6 months apart from the 3rd dose.

Children aged 7-11 months

Use a 2-dose schedule of 0.5 ml injection.

The second dose is at least 1 month apart from the first dose.

Repeat dose (3rd dose): given when a child younger than 1 year, but must be at least 2 months apart from the 2nd dose.

Children 1 - 5 years old

2-dose injection schedule. The second dose is at least 2 months apart from the first.

Chickenpox vaccine: 1 injection when the child is 12 - 15 months, the second shot again after 6 weeks.

3. Combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR):  1 shot at 9 months, again after 6-12 months and 3 after 4 years.

4. Meningitis vaccine for meningococcal disease:  1 shot, 3 years after repeated injection or as directed by your doctor when outbreaks occur.

5. Japanese encephalitis vaccine B:  3 shots given when the child is over 12 months old, 2 shots from the first shot 1 - 2 weeks, 3 shots from the first shot 1 year.

6. Flu vaccine:

Children from 6 - 35 months: 1 dose of 0.25ml / year.

Children over 35 months and adults: 1 dose of 0.5ml / year.

Children under 8 years old who have not had the flu or have not had the flu shot must get 2 doses. Dose 2 the first dose 1 month.

7. Vaccine to prevent diarrhea caused by Rota virus:  A 2-dose oral vaccine for children aged 2 - 6 months.

8. Hepatitis A vaccine: The first  shot is given when the child is over 1 year old.

9. HPV vaccine: Prevention of cervical cancer, for women 9 - 26 years old. The second shot is injected about 2 months after the first shot and 6 months after the first shot.

10. Typhoid vaccine :  Vaccinate children aged 3-10 years, especially in areas at risk of outbreaks.

11. Tetanus vaccine:  Need at least 2 injections for women of childbearing age (15-45 years old) and given to babies right after birth to protect babies from this dangerous disease.

You should know the vaccination schedule for your child so that you can take your child fully vaccinated to protect them from dangerous diseases.

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