Routine Immunization Schedule

NIS India: Birth Doses - First Shield Up!

The National Immunization Schedule (NIS), part of India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), provides crucial early protection. At birth, infants receive:

• 📌 BOH at Birth:
  • BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin):
    • Dose: 0.05ml if <1 month; 0.1ml if ≥1 month.
    • Route: Intradermal (ID).
    • Site: Left upper arm (deltoid).
  • OPV-0 (Oral Polio Vaccine - Zero dose):
    • Dose: 2 drops.
    • Route: Oral.
  • Hepatitis B - Birth dose (Hep B-0):
    • Dose: 0.5ml.
    • Route: Intramuscular (IM).
    • Site: Anterolateral thigh.
    • Timing: Within 24 hours of birth.

⭐ BCG scar, a sign of successful vaccination, typically appears at 6-8 weeks post-vaccination.

Infant Primary Series (6,10,14wks) - Tiny Vax Titans

📌 Mnemonic: Poor Old Rats Prefer Fresh Ice! (Pentavalent, OPV, Rotavirus, PCV, fIPV)

The primary immunization series at 6, 10, and 14 weeks builds foundational immunity. Key vaccines include:

⭐ Exam Favourite: The minimum interval recommended between doses of Pentavalent (or DTP, OPV, HepB, Hib, PCV, Rota) vaccines is 4 weeks.

Toddler & Child Boosters (9m-6y) - Mighty Immune March

• 9-12 Months:
  • MR (Measles-Rubella): 1st dose, SC.

    ⭐ First dose of Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is given at 9-12 months of age.

  • JE (Japanese Encephalitis): 1st dose, SC (endemic areas).
  • Vitamin A: 1st dose (1 Lakh IU), Oral (with MR).
• 16-24 Months: 📌 Mnemonic: "Mighty D.O.M. Jumps Again" (DPT, OPV, MR/MMR, JE, Vit A)
  • MR/MMR: 2nd dose, SC.
  • DPT: 1st Booster, IM.
  • OPV: Booster, Oral.
  • JE: 2nd dose, SC (endemic areas).
  • Vitamin A: 2 Lakh IU, Oral (then every 6 months until 5 years).
• 5-6 Years:
  • DPT: 2nd Booster, IM.
  • Vitamin A: Continues (2 Lakh IU) every 6 months, Oral.

Adolescent & Maternal Shots - Guardian Doses

• Adolescent Immunization (Td Vaccine):
  • Protects against Tetanus & Diphtheria.
  • Schedule:
    • Dose 1: At 10 years.
    • Dose 2: At 16 years.
• Maternal Immunization (Pregnant Women - PW):
  • Td Vaccine Schedule:
    • Td-1: As early as possible in pregnancy.
    • Td-2: 4 weeks after Td-1.
    • Td-Booster: If PW received two Td doses in a pregnancy within the last 3 years.

  ⭐ For pregnant women, if previously immunized, one Td booster dose is sufficient.

  • Other Recommended Vaccines for PW (if advised/available):
    • Influenza (inactivated): Annually, any trimester.
    • Tdap: One dose (27-36 weeks gestation) for neonatal pertussis protection.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• BCG, OPV-0, Hep B-0 are given at birth.
• Pentavalent vaccine (DPT, HepB, Hib) is administered at 6, 10, 14 weeks.
• Measles-Rubella (MR): 1st dose at 9-12 months, 2nd dose at 16-24 months.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): two fractional doses (fIPV) at 6 and 14 weeks.
• DPT boosters are given at 16-24 months and 5-6 years.
• Rotavirus vaccine (oral) is given at 6, 10, 14 weeks.
• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) at 6, 14 weeks and a booster at 9 months.