We adhere to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) recommended schedule for children aged 0 through 18 years

Immunization & Child CareIn 2021, India had the second highest number of deaths for children under 5 years in the world contributing to 14% of the total death, with 7,09,366 deaths. Source – WHO & NHFSNFHS -5.

2019-21, the country's full immunization coverage stands at 76.1 %, which means that ONE out of every FOUR children are missing out on essential vaccines under the age group of five.

Half of all under-5 deaths in 2020 occurred in just 5 countries, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Congo and Ethiopia. Nigeria and India alone account for almost a third of all deaths.

OTAAT focus on MNCAH Strategy: Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health. Strategy emphasizes childhood immunization as a critical component.The recommended childhood & adolescent immunization schedule outlines vaccinations for children up to 18 years old. Adolescents (ages 7 to 18) should stay up-to-date with vaccines.

A proactive approach to immunization ensures healthier lives for children & adolescents

Vaccines you need during pregnancy

Tdap (Pertussis) Vaccine and Pregnancy

Pertussis is on the rise and outbreaks are happening across the world. Most of these deaths are among infants who are too young to be protected by the childhood pertussis vaccine series that starts when infants are 2 months old.

These first few months of life are when infants are at the greatest risk of contracting pertussis and having severe, potentially life-threatening complications from the infection. To help protect babies during this time when they are most vulnerable, women should get the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) during each pregnancy.

A strong recommendation from you may be what most influences whether or not your patient’s newborn is protected against pertussis.

Five Facts about Tdap and Pregnancy

Tdap during pregnancy provides the best protection for mother and infant.

Recommend and administer or refer your patients to receive Tdap during every pregnancy.
Optimal timing is between 27 and 36 weeks gestation (preferably during the earlier part of this period) to maximize the maternal antibody response and passive antibody transfer to the infant.
Fewer babies will be hospitalized for and die from pertussis when Tdap is given during pregnancy rather than during the postpartum period.

Postpartum Tdap administration is NOT optimal.

Postpartum Tdap administration does not provide immunity to the infant, who is most vulnerable to the disease’s serious complications.
Infants remain at risk of contracting pertussis from others, including siblings, grandparents, and other caregivers.
It takes about 2 weeks after Tdap receipt for the mother to have protection against pertussis, which means the mother is still at risk for catching and spreading the disease to her newborn baby during this time.

Cocooning alone may not be effective and is hard to implement.

The term “cocooning” means vaccinating anyone who comes in close contact with an infant.
Cocooning is difficult and it can be costly to make sure that everyone who is around an infant is vaccinated.

Tdap should NOT be offered as part of routine preconception care.

Protection from pertussis vaccines does not last as long as vaccine experts would like, so Tdap is recommended during pregnancy in order to provide optimal protection to the infant.
If Tdap is administered at a preconception visit, it should be administered again during pregnancy between 27 and 36 weeks gestation.

Tdap can be safely administered earlier in pregnancy if needed

Pregnant women should receive Tdap anytime during pregnancy if it is indicated for wound care or during a community pertussis outbreak.
If Tdap is administered earlier in pregnancy, it should not be repeated between 27 and 36 weeks gestation; only one dose is recommended during each pregnancy.

Why Maternal Vaccines Are Important

Maternal Tdap vaccination helps protect infants. Newborn babies are at the greatest risk for developing pertussis and its life-threatening complications. Flu vaccination during pregnancy is safe and helps protect babies from flu for several months after birth.

This is important because babies younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu vaccine. As the most valued and trusted source of health information for pregnant women, it’s important that ob-gyns, midwives, and other healthcare professionals recommend maternal vaccines to their patients.

Vaccines you need during pregnancy

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough can be dangerous for your baby, and you may not even know they have it. Getting the whooping cough vaccine (Tdap) in the third trimester of each pregnancy helps protect your baby.

Flu

Catching flu when you are pregnant can lead to serious pregnancy complications for you and your baby.

RSV

RSV is a common cause of severe respiratory illness in infants. Babies infected with RSV can have difficulty breathing and eating, and sometimes may need respiratory support or hydration in the hospital. Getting vaccinated during pregnancy or getting your baby immunized can help protect them from RSV.

Child Vaccine Preventable Disease Easy Read

Vaccine-Preventable Disease

Disease Complications

RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus)

Contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs; spread through air and direct contact

Infection of the lungs (pneumonia) and small airways of the lungs; especially dangerous for infants and young children

Hepatitis B

Contagious viral infection of the liver; spread through contact with infected body fluids such as blood or semen

Chronic liver infection, liver failure, liver cancer, death

Rotavirus

Contagious viral infection of the gut; spread through the mouth from hands and food contaminated with stool

Severe diarrhea, dehydration, death

Diphtheria*

Contagious bacterial infection of the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs; spread through air and direct contact

Swelling of the heart muscle, heart failure, coma, paralysis, death

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)*

Contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airway; spread through air and direct contact

Infection of the lungs (pneumonia), death; especially dangerous for babies

Tetanus (Lockjaw)*

Bacterial infection of brain and nerves caused by spores found in soil and dust everywhere; spores enter the body through wounds or broken skin

Seizures, broken bones, difficulty breathing, death

Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)

Contagious bacterial infection of the lungs, brain and spinal cord, or bloodstream; spread through air and direct contact

Depends on the part of the body infected, but can include brain damage, hearing loss, loss of arm or leg, death

Pneumococcal

Bacterial infections of ears, sinuses, lungs, or bloodstream; spread through direct contact with respiratory droplets like saliva or mucus

Depends on the part of the body infected, but can include infection of the lungs (pneumonia), blood poisoning, infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, death

Polio

Contagious viral infection of nerves and brain; spread through the mouth from stool on contaminated hands, food or liquid, and by air and direct contact

Paralysis, death

Influenza (Flu)

Contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs; spread through air and direct contact

Infection of the lungs (pneumonia), sinus and ear infections, worsening of underlying heart or lung conditions, death

Measles (Rubeola)†

Contagious viral infection that causes high fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose, and rash; spread through air and direct contact

Brain swelling, infection of the lungs (pneumonia), death

Mumps†

Contagious viral infection that causes fever, tiredness, swollen cheeks, and tender swollen jaw; spread through air and direct contact

Brain swelling, painful and swollen testicles or ovaries, deafness, death

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