Vaccines for children are considered very important because children need to learn and be exposed to various environmental factors around them for proper growth and development. However, outside the home, there are many germs. Therefore, to prevent infections, children must receive vaccinations.
What vaccines are available for children?
Vaccines for children include both basic vaccines and supplementary vaccines.
- Tuberculosis vaccine (BCG)
This vaccine is given from birth, injected into the left upper arm. The vaccine wound will dry within 1-2 months. If this vaccine has been given, no booster is needed.
- Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV)
This vaccine is given at birth, 1-2 months, and 6 months, injected into the front thigh. If the mother is a hepatitis B virus carrier, the second dose is given again at 1 month of age.
- Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus vaccine (DTP)
This vaccine is given at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age. A booster is given again at 4-6 years and 11-12 years of age.
- Oral Polio vaccine (OPV), Injectable Polio vaccine (IPV)
This vaccine is given orally or by injection at 2, 4, 6, 18 months, and 4-6 years of age.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine (MMR)
This vaccine is given for the first time at 9-12 months of age and the second dose at 2 and a half years or older.
- Japanese Encephalitis vaccine (JEV)
This vaccine is given at 9-12 months of age and the second dose 12-24 months later.
- Hib vaccine (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
This is a supplementary vaccine given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with a booster at 12-18 months.
- Rotavirus vaccine
This is a supplementary oral vaccine called Rotarix, given twice at 2 and 4 months of age, and Rotateq, given three times at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
- Pneumococcal vaccine or IPD vaccine
This is a supplementary vaccine available in 10-valent (Synflorix) and 13-valent (Prevnar) types, given at 2, 4, 6 months of age, with a booster at 12-15 months.
- Influenza vaccine
This is a supplementary vaccine given from 6 months of age annually. For children under 9 years old, the first vaccination requires 2 doses one month apart.
- Chickenpox vaccine
This is a supplementary vaccine given from 1 year of age, with the second dose given at 2 and a half to 4 years of age.
- Hepatitis A vaccine (HAV)
This is a supplementary vaccine given from 1 year of age, with 2 doses 6 months apart.
Dr. Siripim Penchat
Specialist in Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
Child and Adolescent Health Center, Phyathai 1 Hospital
