Mothers who give birth at the hospital will receive good care before, during, and after delivery. As for the baby… especially newborns, besides receiving attentive health check-ups from doctors, they will also receive vaccines to increase and enhance immunity against various diseases.
After the mother takes the baby home, there will be appointments for ‘basic vaccines according to the child’s age’. In some hospitals, doctors may recommend parents to consider giving children ‘additional vaccines’ beyond the usual ones. The vaccination program for children should be followed until adolescence, but in the first year from birth, children should receive vaccines according to the following schedule.
Vaccines for Newborns
Newborns will receive 2 types of vaccines:
- BCG vaccine (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) or Tuberculosis vaccine is injected into the upper arm. Shortly after, the injection site will develop a raised bump. Generally, the vaccine wound takes about 1-2 months to heal. Parents should take care and clean the area well according to the doctor’s instructions.
- Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV Vaccine) is injected into the front thigh with one dose. If the mother is infected with the hepatitis B virus, it is recommended to give the second dose at 1 month of age.
Vaccines for Children Aged 2-4-6 Months
Basic Vaccines
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis-Hepatitis B vaccine (DTP-HB, Tritanrix-HB)
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) or Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV)
Additional Vaccines
- Hib vaccine (Haemophilus influenzae type b) is a vaccine that prevents meningitis, ear infections, and pneumonia. It is usually included in combination vaccines with Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis-Hepatitis B and Polio vaccines such as Quinvaxem, Infanrix-IPV/Hib, Pentaxim, Infanrix hexa, Hexaxim.
- Pneumococcal vaccine or IPD vaccine (Invasive Pneumococcal Disease) prevents pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis. There are 2 types: 10-valent and 13-valent, including Synflorix and Prevnar.
- Rotavirus vaccine (Rota) is an oral vaccine that prevents diarrhea caused by rotavirus, including Rotarix and RotaTeq.
Vaccines for Children Aged 9-12 Months
Basic Vaccines
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine (MMR)
- Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (JEV) traditional type
- Japanese Encephalitis vaccine requires 3 doses: the first 2 doses are given 1-4 weeks apart, and the booster dose is given 1 year after the second dose.
Additional Vaccines
- New Japanese Encephalitis vaccine (IMOJEV, CO-JEVAX) is a live attenuated vaccine that provides higher and longer-lasting immunity after the first dose. Only 2 doses are needed, 1 year apart, including CD.JEVAX and IMOJEV.
- Influenza vaccine (Vaxigrip, Influvac, Fluquadri) prevents influenza. The first vaccination requires 2 doses, 4 weeks apart. After that, it is recommended to get vaccinated once a year before the rainy season because the influenza virus strains change annually.
The vaccines mentioned above effectively protect and build immunity for children. Therefore, parents should be aware and bring their children to ‘get vaccinated according to the schedule’ and follow the doctor’s advice for the children’s good health.
