VACCINES RECOMMENDED FOR ALL CHILDREN GLOBALLY
BCG (Bacille-Calmette-Guerin) vaccine, which offers partial protection against some forms
of tuberculosis and leprosy
•
DTP vaccine (also known as DPT vaccine). Diphteria causes infection of the upper respiratory
tract, which in severe cases may lead to breathing difficulties and death. Pertussis, or
whooping cough, affects the respiratory tract and can cause a cough that lasts four to eight
weeks. The disease is very dangerous in infants. Tetanus causes rigid muscles and painful
muscle spasms and can be deadly. All pregnant women and infants need to be immunized
against tetanus. Immunizing a woman with at least two doses of tetanus toxoid before
or during pregnancy protects the newborn for the first few weeks of life and protects the
mother. At 6 weeks old, a baby needs the first dose of the tetanus toxoid (the tetanus
component of the DTP vaccine) to extend the protection received from the mother against
tetanus.
•
Measles vaccine is needed as measles can be a major cause of malnutrition, poor mental
development, and hearing and visual impairments. The signs that a child has measles are
a fever and rash, together with a cough, a runny nose or red eyes. A child can die from
measles.
In countries where vitamin A deficiency is common, high dose vitamin A capsules are
given to children aged 6 months to 5 years, every four to six months. Vitamin A is also an
important part of measles treatment.
•
Polio vaccine protects against polio which causes disability. The signs of polio are a floppy
limb or the inability to move.
VACCINES WHICH MAY BE INCLUDED IN NATIONAL
IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMMES
• Hepatitis B vaccine - In countries where hepatitis B is a problem, up to 10 out of every 100
children will harbor the infection for life if they are not immunized against Hepatitis B. Up to
one quarter of children infected with heapatitis B maty develop serious liver conditions such
as cancer when they are older.
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and pneumococoal conjugate (PCV) vaccines – In many
countries, pneumonia caused by pneumococcus bacteria or Haemophilus influenzae type B
(Hib) bacteria is common and kills many young children. Either of these bacteria can also
cause childhood meningitis and other serious infections. These bacteria are among the most
dangerous for children. Particularly those under 5 years old. Vaccination with Haemophilus
influenzae type B vaccine (Hib vaccine) and pneumococcal (conjugate) vaccine (PCV) can
prevent these deaths.
• A pentavalent vaccine (five vaccines in one), combining the DTP , hepatits B and Hib
vaccines, is increasingly being used by national immunization programs in many countries.
• Yellow fever vaccine – In some countries, yellow fever puts the lvies of many young children
and adults at risk. Vaccination can prevent this disease. • Rotavirus vaccine – Diarrhea caused by rotavirus is common and can be severe. It affects
nearly every child under age 5. Severe rotavirus diarrhea is more common in developing
countries where health care can be more difficult to access, resulting in many deaths in
children under 5 years old, especially in children under 2. Vaccination against rotavirus
prevents diarrhea caused by this virus. However, diarrhea due to other bacteria or viruses
can still occur in children who receive the rotavirus vaccine.
© UNICEF Philippines/2011/Palasi
Facts for Life aims to provide families and communities with the information
they need to save and improve the lives of children. Parents, grandparents,
other caregivers and young people can refer to this practical source of
information for answers to their questions related to childbearing and
getting children off to the best start in life.
The messages contained in Facts for Life are based on the latest scientific
findings by medical and child development experts around the world.
The messages contained are also based on human rights, particularly
the Convention on the Rights of the Child and on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women.
This information empowers people to fulfill the rights of their children.
They are also aimed at enabling women, young people and children to
exercise and speak out in favor of their rights. The different digests
you’ll get throughout the year are filled with practical information
about how to ensure children’s rights to survival, growth,
development and well-being. The topics address pregnancy,
childbirth, major childhood illnesses, child development, early
learning, parenting, protection, and care and support of children.
Facts for Life Fourth Edition is produced by UNICEF, WHO,
UNESCO, UNFPA, UNDP, UNAIDS, WFP and the World Bank,
Facts for Life can be found at www.factsforlifeglobal.org.
The website will be updated regularly and includes a link to
an interactive site for posting comments, sharing experiences
and materials and discussing relevant issues.
COVER PHOTO © UNICEF Philippines/2011/Palasi
•
The 7 facts on IMMUNIZATION
1
© UNICEF Philippines/2011/Palasi
What we need to know about IMMUNIZATION
Each year, millions of children die from diseases that are preventable with readily
available vaccines. These diseases include measles, meningitis caused by Haemophilus
influenza type B (Hib), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), yellow fever,
polio and Hepatitis B. New vaccines against other illnesses, such as pneumonia and
diarrhea caused by rotativirus, have been developed and are now more widely used.
Immunization protects children from these deadly diseases. All children have the
right to this protection.
Early protection through immunization is critical. The immunizations in the child’s first
and second years are especially important. It is also essential that pregnant women
are immunized against tetanus to protect themselves as well as their newborns.
It is safe to immunize a child who has a minor illness or a disability or is suffering
from malnutrition.
In the Philippines, all public health centers offer free immunization all year long
for the recommended vaccines shown in Table 1. In addition, the Department of
Health conducts an outreach immunization program twice a year, in order to boost
immunization coverage amongst children. UNICEF supports the Department of
Health in the procurement of vaccines used in its immunization program.
Immunization is urgent. Every child should complete the recommended series of
immunizations. Early protection is critical; the immunizations in the first two years are
particularly important.
Children must be immunized early TABLE 1: Immunization
in life. It is essential for infants to get all the Philippines
recommended vaccines at the right time.
Some vaccines require multiple doses for
Antigen
full protection. It is important for every
At
birth
child to complete the full number of these
immunizations. To protect the child during
BCG
X
and beyond the first year of life, the
HepB
X
immunizations in the following chart are
necessary. These are most effective when
DPT-HepB-Hib
given at the ages specified, or as close to
OPV
those ages as possible. If a child does not
Rota*
complete the full series of immunizations in
Measles
the first two years of life, it is extremely
important to have the child fully immunized
MMR
as soon as possible.
Schedule for Infants in
AGE
6W
10W
14W
9M
12M
X
X
X
X
X
X
In many parts of the world, including some areas in the Philippines, mothers still give
birth in unhygienic conditions. This puts both the mother and the child at risk of getting
tetanus, a major killer of newborn infants. If a pregnant woman is not immunized against tetanus,
and tetanus bacteria spores enter her body, her life will also be at risk.
X
X
First dose As soon as she knows she is pregnant.
Second dose One month after the first dose, and no later than two weeks before her due date.
X
X
Source: Department of Health (April 2013)
Parents and health practitioners should follow the locally recommended immunization schedule.
In some countries like the Philippines, additional vaccine doses, called ‘booster shots’, are offered
after the first year of life. These help sustain the effectiveness of the vaccines so the child is
protected longer.
Immunization protects against dangerous diseases. A child who is not immunized is more
likely to become sick, permanently disabled or undernourished, and could possibly die.
Immunization protects children against some of the most dangerous diseases of
childhood. A child is immunized by vaccines, which are injected or given by mouth. The vaccines
work by building up the child’s defenses against diseases. Immunization only works if given
before the disease strikes.
A child who is not immunized is very likely to get measles, whooping cough and many other
diseases that can kill. Children who survive these diseases are weakened and may not grow well.
They may be permanently disabled. They may die later from malnutrition and other illnesses.
3
4
All pregnant women and their newborns need to be protected against tetanus.
It is safe for a pregnant woman to be immunized against tetanus. She should be immunized
according to this schedule:
As new vaccines become available, more
vaccines are recommended for all countries. But some vaccines are only needed in countries
where certain diseases are present.
2
Measles can be extremely dangerous for malnourished children, so they should be immunized
against measles, especially if the malnutrition is severe.
It is safe to immunize a child who has a minor illness or a disability or is malnourished.
Many parents do not take a child to be immunized because the child has a fever, cough,
cold, diarrhea, or some other illness. However, it is safe to immunize a child who has
a minor illness. After an injection, the child may cry or develop a fever, a minor rash or a small
sore. This is normal and shows that the vaccine is working. Children under 6 months of age
should breastfeed frequently; older children should be given plenty of liquids and foods. If the
child develops a high fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) the child should be taken to a trained health
practitioner.
Third dose
Six months to one year after the second dose, or during the next pregnancy.
Fourth dose
One year after the third dose, or during a subsequent pregnancy.
Fifth dose
One year after the fourth dose, or during a subsequent pregnancy.
After five properly spaced doses, the mother is protected for life and her children are protected
for the first few weeks of life against tetanus.
5
A new syringe must be used for every person being immunized.
6
Disease can spread quickly when people are crowded together.
Sharing syringes and needles, even among family members, can spread life-threatening
diseases. A new syringe must be used for every person. Syringes must be discarded
properly and safely after use.
All children living in congested conditions, particularly in refugee or disaster situations,
should be immunized immediately, especially against measles. Emergencies that make
people flee their homes often lead to the spread of
communicable diseases. As a first priority, all displaced children
Did you know?
under 15 years of age should be immediately immunized, especially
Breastmilk and colostrum,
for measles, at the first point of contact or settlement. Measles
the thick yellow milk
is even more serious when children are malnourished or living in
produced during the
conditions of poor sanitation. If a child’s vaccination record is lost
first few days after a
and the parents do not remember which vaccines the child has
woman gives birth,
received, it is safe to repeat doses.
provide protection against
diarrhea, pneumonia and
The vaccination card of a child (or an adult) should
other diseases. Colostrum
be presented to the health practitioner before every
is sometimes referred
immunization.
to as a newborn’s ‘first
vaccine,’ helping to build
It is important to follow the vaccination schedule in
the child’s immunity to
accordance with national guidelines. Children should be
disease.
immunized at the recommended ages and should receive
7
subsequent doses at recommended intervals.