Vaccines and immunisations – 0 to 18 months: everything you need to know
We all want the best for our baby bundles, especially when they are brand new and at their most vulnerable. Proper vaccinations are a critical component of preventative care for our little ones. Follow this handy guide to learn about what immunisations your bub needs when!
ALSO SEE: When Will Your Baby Start Teething
After just a few weeks after being born, it’s time to time to start the process of proper vaccination. South Africa’s immunisation schedule is in line with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations of how our little ones should be vaccinated, and these are available at government clinics, private practices, and also from pharmacy clinics, like Dis-Chem’s Well Baby Clinic. Here is the complete list of vaccines needed from 0-18 months, as outlined in Child Mag:
|
Age:
|
Vaccine: | Dose: | Route: | Site: |
| At birth | BCG* | 0.05mls | Intradermal injection | Deltoid muscle, right arm |
| Polio Vaccine | 2 drops – dose 0 | Oral | Mouth | |
| Vitamin A | 200 00IU | Administered to mom | Oral | |
|
6 weeks old |
Polio Vaccine |
2 drops – dose 1 |
Oral |
Mouth |
| DTP/HIB** Vaccine | 0.5mls | Deep intra-muscular injection | Left thigh | |
| Hepatitis B Vaccine | 0.5mls | Deep intra-muscular injection | Right thigh | |
|
10 weeks |
Polio Vaccine |
2 drops – dose 2 |
Oral |
Mouth |
| DTP/HIB Vaccines | 0.5mls | Deep intra-muscular injection | Left thigh | |
| Hepatitis B Vaccines | 0.5mls | Deep intra-muscular injection | Right thigh | |
|
14 weeks |
Polio Vaccine |
2 drops – dose 4 |
Oral |
Mouth |
| DTP/HIB Vaccines | 0.5mls | Deep intra-muscular injection | Left thigh | |
| Hepatitis B Vaccines | 0.5mls | Deep intra-muscular injection | Right thigh | |
|
6 months |
Vitamin A |
100 000IU |
Oral |
Mouth |
|
9 months |
Measles |
0.5mls |
Deep intra-muscular injection |
Right thigh |
|
1 year |
Vitamin A |
200 000IU |
Oral |
Mouth |
|
18 months |
Polio Vaccine |
2 drops – dose 4 |
Oral |
Mouth |
| DTP Vaccine | 0.5mls | Deep intra-muscular injection | Left upper arm | |
| Measles | 0.5mls | Deep intra-muscular injection | Right upper arm | |
| Vitamin A | 200 000IU | Oral | Mouth |
Remember that your babycakes is probably going to be a little upset and fussy after their shots – not nice for mom, we know! Side-effects typically include some soreness and a low-grade fever, and any other symptoms should be addressed by a doctor. A warm compress on the area can help reduce soreness, as can gently ‘bicycling’ the arm or leg where the shot was given.
**Diphteria, tetanus, pertussis vaccines, inactivated polio vaccines, haemophilus influenza type b vaccine
