Safeguarding smiles: why vaccination matters for children
How vaccines protect children, how herd immunity works, which vaccines are on the schedule, common side effects and what to do if a dose is missed.
By the Healtree Hospital clinical team.
Vaccines train a child's immune system to fight serious infections such as measles, polio, whooping cough, hepatitis B and pneumonia before the child is exposed. Following the recommended schedule from birth protects your child at the ages they are most vulnerable and protects babies too young to be vaccinated. Side effects are usually mild, such as a sore arm or low fever.
How vaccines protect children
A vaccine shows the immune system a harmless version or part of a germ, so it learns to recognise and fight the real infection. Diseases that once killed or disabled many children, such as polio, diphtheria and measles, are now rare where vaccination rates are high. India was certified polio-free in 2014 thanks to vaccination.
Herd immunity
When most people in a community are vaccinated, infections cannot spread easily. This protects newborns, children with weak immunity, and others who cannot be vaccinated. Every vaccinated child helps keep these children safe.
The vaccine schedule
In India, vaccines are given from birth and through childhood, following the national immunisation programme and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics schedule. Your paediatrician will give you a vaccination card and remind you of each due date.
- At birth: BCG, oral polio and hepatitis B
- 6, 10 and 14 weeks: combination vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, hepatitis B and polio, plus rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines
- 9 months onwards: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), typhoid conjugate vaccine
- Second year: boosters, chickenpox and hepatitis A
- School age and adolescence: boosters and the HPV vaccine
- Every year: influenza vaccine, as advised
Side effects
Most reactions are mild and settle in a day or two: pain or swelling at the injection site, fussiness or a low fever. Serious reactions are very rare, and vaccines are given where staff can manage them. Talk to your paediatrician if your child had a reaction to a previous dose.
If a vaccine is missed
There is no need to restart the series. Visit your paediatrician, who will plan a catch-up schedule to complete the doses.
Value for families
Preventing an illness is far better, and far cheaper, than treating it. Vaccination spares children hospital stays and families lost workdays and medical bills.
See a specialist in Neelankarai, ECR
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Our Paediatrics & Neonatology team at Healtree Multi-Speciality Centre & Hospital can assess your situation. The hospital is open 24 hours.
Specialists: Dr. S. Fouziya Sultana, Dr. Vijaya Baskar, Dr. Samutirika Devi
Frequently asked questions
- Are vaccines safe for my baby?
- Yes. Vaccines are tested extensively and monitored continuously. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness or low fever.
- Can my child get vaccinated with a cold?
- A mild cold without high fever is usually not a reason to delay. Your paediatrician will check your child on the day.
- What if we missed a vaccine dose?
- You do not need to restart. Your paediatrician will plan catch-up doses.
- Are optional vaccines worth taking?
- Vaccines outside the government programme, such as hepatitis A, chickenpox and influenza, add useful protection. Discuss them with your paediatrician.
Ready to see a specialist?
Book an appointment online or call us any time. Our team is available 24/7.