India's National Immunisation Schedule provides BCG, OPV, Hepatitis B, DPT, Hib, IPV, Measles, and other core vaccines free of charge. These protect against the diseases most likely to cause serious illness or death in Indian children and should be completed on schedule without exception. Additional vaccines not on the government schedule but recommended by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics include PCV, which protects against pneumococcal disease causing pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections; rotavirus vaccine, which dramatically reduces hospitalisation from severe childhood diarrhoea; varicella vaccine for chickenpox; and annual influenza vaccine. These come at a cost but offer real protection against conditions that cause significant childhood morbidity. I discuss the full vaccination schedule at every relevant visit and help families understand which vaccines are recommended for their child's age and individual risk profile.
Written by Dr. Madhusudan B S, MBBS, DCH, AASC (Allergy Asthma Specialist Course), Consultant Pediatrician and Pediatric Allergy Specialist, Tumkur. Phone: +91 96771 80651.
