Congratulations!
If you have just given birth to a new life or are about to.
As you enter this beautiful journey, you need to focus on the crucial milestones also. By 6 weeks, babies started to develop alertness, social communication through smiles, and were able to control their necks. And this is also a primary immunization schedule for your baby, as they are most vulnerable to getting impacted by infections or diseases. But at this stage, it is necessary to provide them protection against several diseases.
Did You Know?
- Every year, 10 million children die (20 children per minute), while most die from preventable diseases. Out of this, India is accountable for 5000 child deaths.
- 78,000 babies die from rotavirus in India every year. Just a few drops of vaccine can prevent a terrifying, preventable crisis for your child and your whole family.
- Since 2014, India has been considered a polio-free country, but still, the vaccination is provided to children to ensure their full protection.
- Pneumonia is a leading killer of children in India, which covers 16% of deaths.
This can be overwhelming, especially to first-timers. Questions like ” Is it safe, what vaccines should be given, ” Will my baby have side effects, ” What to do after vaccination, and many more.
Don’t worry, this article will highlight the vaccination chart for your 6-week-old baby and mention the points that parents should expect.
Complete Vaccination Chart for Your Baby
| SL. NO. | Vaccine | Dose | Route |
| 1. | OPV-1 | First | Oral drops |
| 2. | Pentavalent-1 | Injection | |
| 3. | Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV)-1 | First | Oral dose |
| 4. | Fractional dose of Inactive Polio Vaccine (fIPV)-1 | First | Injection (Intradermal) |
| 5. | Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)-1 | First | Injection |
| 6. | Haemophilus Influenza Type B | First | Injection (Intramuscular) |
| 7. | Injectable polio vaccine- 1 | First | Injection |
| 8. | DTwP | First | Injection |
Understand Every Vaccine
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Polio vaccine- OPV-1
Just after the birth, the first dose of polio is given to the child, and the second one is given when your baby is 6 weeks old, the next one is given at 10 weeks, and the last one at 14 weeks. These doses protect children from diseases and build long-lasting immunity. If you are planning to travel abroad, make sure to get your child vaccinated, because there are countries that still do not come under the polio-free list, and you obviously don’t want to take risks.
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Pentavalent-1
This is the first dose of this vaccine given at 6 weeks and the second dose at 14th week, and it is given via injection. The purpose of this vaccine is to protect your child from Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, tetanus, and Hib.
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Fractional inactivated polio vaccine (fIPV-1)
This is an important part of a baby’s immunization, as it is designed to protect the baby from polio. The first dose is given at 6 weeks, and the second is given after 14 weeks. Although you might see some side effects like mild redness, your baby might be a little fussy.
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IPV (Injectable Polio Vaccine) – Dose 1
The oral form of the vaccine is given orally, but this vaccine is given through an injection. This is the injectable form of the vaccine, and this vaccine works hand-in-hand with the oral form of the vaccine to give the baby total protection against the polio virus.
This is a very important vaccine because it gives the baby greater immunity to the virus, while the oral form of the vaccine gives the baby greater immunity to the virus in the area of the stomach where the virus is supposed to enter the body.
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DTwP or DTaP (DPT) – Dose 1
This injection will give you protection against three diseases. These are:
- Diphtheria – A throat infection, which can lead to the blockage of airways, finally leading to heart failure
- Tetanus – A painful infection caused by bacteria, which stiffens the muscles, i.e., ‘Lock Jaw.’
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – A very dangerous infection in young babies, which affects the lungs, leading to severe coughing fits, which are fatal to babies less than 6 months old.
Though the DTwP vaccine is painful, it is given in government hospitals, while the painless DTaP vaccine is given in private hospitals, which have fewer side effects but are more expensive. The benefits of both injections are the same, and the pediatrician will guide you on what to choose for your child.
DPT has more chances of causing a mild fever and fussiness in the child. It is better if you have some infant paracetamol drops at home in the evening after the injection is administered.
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Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae type B) – Dose 1
The name of the disease may sound somewhat similar to the flu virus, but this is a bacterial infection and is absolutely unrelated to the flu virus. This is a disease that can cause serious infections such as bacterial meningitis and pneumonia in young children.
The Hib vaccine is included with DTP and Hepatitis B vaccine and is given to the baby in a single dose through the vaccines Hexaxim and Pentavac, which are combination vaccines. This is one of the major advantages of giving a combination vaccine.
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Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the biggest cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in children under two years of age in India. The vaccine is given in the form of drops, and no painful injection is required. It protects your child from viruses that cause severe dehydration, which can lead to a terrifying, preventable hospital visit. This reduces the severity of the disease by 95%, which is a great number.
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PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) – Dose 1
PCV protects your child from a particular bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes almost 16% of severe pneumonia attacks in Indian children, and meningitis caused by a particular bacterium. PCV is currently available in private clinics and some government hospitals in some states in India. This vaccine is usually given to 6 to 8-week-old babies, but should not be delayed further.
What parents need to ask a pediatrician?
The one thing you’re sure to be asked during your child’s 6-week check-up is:
“Can I choose between a painful or pain-free vaccine? Yes.
Well, here’s the truth: Both vaccines are just as effective in keeping your child safe from all the big diseases out there.
- Combination vaccines mean fewer needles, and who does not want fewer needles?
- What are the side effects that my baby might have?
- Should I give medicine after vaccination?
- Where was the injection given?
- What are the symptoms that require immediate medical attention after vaccination?
- Tips to ensure that my baby will be healthy?
Your baby’s growth is defined based on the milestones they achieve. Right?
Obviously, as a parent, you must want your baby to achieve those small achievements faster. Although every child grows at their own pace, development is typically based on how quickly they adapt to those changes.
But. But!!
Infections, illness, or diseases can surely delay their growth if not treated on time or as per the vaccination schedule. Not only physically, but it can also restrict your child cognitively. So, rather than avoiding it, it is necessary to understand the importance of vaccines and milestones of your child.
What parents need to expect, before and after every visit?
Before the Visit
- Ensures the child is well rested and free of illness on the day of the visit
- Informs the pediatrician of the child’s adverse reaction to a previous vaccination
- Ensures the child’s immunization record card is brought to the visit
- This is one of the things you should never forget
- Make sure you are aware of the type of vaccine to be injected into the child and write it down.
- This ensures you are aware of the type of vaccine the child has received so far.
- Do not give the child paracetamol before the visit unless the pediatrician instructs you to
After the Visit
- Make sure the child is close to you after being vaccinated
- This ensures the child feels better
- Make sure the child is fed after being vaccinated
- This is the only way to reduce the pain the child is likely to experience
- Make sure the child’s temperature is checked
- This should be done over a period of 48 hours
- Make sure to keep the injected site clear and dry.
A note to parents
The 6-week vaccination will be harder for you and your child, because at that time, your child’s skin is sensitive, and even the tiniest needle can cause pain. They will cry more, and this will make your heart tremble. But this is the time to gear up and understand that these are really important for your child. All these vaccinations ultimately help them to fight against the deadly and non-deadly diseases and infections. But as a parent, it is your responsibility also to collect all the important information so that you will be aware of the signs which are common, and when you need to take your child to the doctor.
Moreover, Cradle Children’s Hospital pediatricians are always there for parents to guide and support them. For first-timers, this might be a little difficult, but don’t worry, it is for their long-term health.
Apart from that, if you have any queries related to your child’s health or anything that is bothering you, contact us today!
