Immunisation

Immunisation Good health and well-being are not entirely dependent on good nutrition. We all are aware of the role of immunisation in protecting children from various diseases. You may be interested in knowing how immunisation protects children from diseases. A vaccine that contains an inactive form of a bacterium/virus/toxin made by the germ is injected in the child. Being inactive it does not cause infections but induces white blood cells to produce antibodies. These antibodies then kill the germs when they attack the child’s system. Table : National Immunisation Schedule (Recommended by ICMR) Age of the child Vaccine Birth BCG, OPV, HEP B weeks OPV, PENTA (DPT, HEP B, HiB) weeks OPV, PENTA (DPT, HEP B, HiB) weeks OPV, PENTA (DPT, HEP B, HiB) months MR (Measles, Rubella) . BCG-Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (anti TB) . OPV-Oral Polio Vaccine . DPT-Diphtheria, Pertusis and Tetanus . HEP B- Hepatitis B . Hi B- Haemophilus influenza type b bacteria Source: National Immunisation Schedule, Government of India