National Vaccination Day - 16th March - India

[Deepak Kiran]

On 16 March every year, National Vaccination Day is observed in India which is also known as National Immunisation Day (IMD). It was first observed on 16 March 1995 when the first dose of Oral Polio Vaccine was given. It is an attempt to increase awareness for the eradication of polio from the planet earth.


Each year March 16 is observed as National Vaccination Day to mark the significance of vaccination and its role in public health. After experiencing the deadly pandemic of coronavirus, the world now, more than ever needs awareness about vaccination and its benefits. To help create that, on National Vaccination Day, several organizations and people send messages on how vaccination or immunization is the most effective way of preventing highly infectious diseases.



National Vaccination Day also marks India’s victory against Polio disease. Notably, the impact of vaccination is not only limited to improving health or life expectancy, it also has a social or economic impact at the community and the National level.

 

[Deepak Kiran]

Immunisation​

UNIVERSAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME

• Immunization Programme is one of the key interventions for protection of children from life threatening conditions, which are preventable. It is one of the largest immunization programme in the world and a major public health intervention in the country.
• Immunization Programme in India was introduced in 1978 as Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI)
• The programme gained momentum in 1985 and was expanded as Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to be implemented in phased manner to cover all districts in the country by 1989-90.
• UIP become a part of Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme in 1992 Since, 1997, immunization activities have been an important component of National Reproductive and Child Health Programme and is currently one of the key areas under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) since 2005
• Under the Universal Immunization Programme, Government of India is providing vaccination to prevent seven vaccine preventable diseases i.e.
  • Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B, Hiaemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and Diarrhea

The Vaccination Schedule under the UIP

National Immunization Schedule
Vaccine	When to give	Dose	Route	Site
For Infants
BCG	At birth or as early as possible till one year of age	0.1ml (0.05ml until 1 month of age)	Intra -dermal	Left Upper Arm
Hepatitis B Birth dose	At birth or as early as possible within 24 hours	0.5 ml	Intramuscular	Anterolateral side of mid thigh-LEFT
OPV Birth dose	At birth or as early as possible within the first 15 days	2 drops	Oral	-
OPV 1,2 & 3	At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks	2 drops	Oral	-
IPV (inactivated Polio Vaccine)	14 weeks	0.5 ml	Intramuscular	Anterolateral side of mid thigh-RIGHT
Pentavelant 1,2 & 3	At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks	0.5 ml	Intramuscular	Anterolateral side of mid thigh-LEFT
Rota Virus Vaccine	At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks	5 drops	Oral	-
Measles 1st Dose	9 completed months-12 months. (give up to 5 years if not received at 9-12 months age)	0.5 ml	Subcutaneous	Right Upper Arm
Vitamin A, 1st Dose	At 9 months with measles	1 ml (1 lakh IU)	Oral	-
For children
DPT 1st booster	16-24 months	0.5 ml	Intramuscular	Anterolateral side of mid thigh-LEFT
OPV Booster	16-24 months	2 drops	Oral
Measles 2nd dose	16-24 Months	0.5 ml	Subcutaneous	Right Upper Arm
Vitamin A (2nd to 9th dose)	16 months with DPT/OPV booster, then, one dose every 6 month up to the age of 5 years)	2 ml (2 lakh IU)	Oral	-
DPT 2nd Booster	5-6 years	0.5 ml.	Intramuscular	Left Upper Arm
TT	10 years & 16 years	0.5 ml	Intramuscular	Upper Arm

 

[AASHVATHKANNA]

Good information sharing about vaccination