Full vaccine course key to developing immunity

Every year, a large number of children get vaccinated for diseases like pertussis, tuberculosis, hepatitis-B, measles under the national immunization programme. But very few go on to complete the full course losing track of booster doses that are administered at 10 and 16 years. The lack of awareness among parents are to blame for the low turnout rate.      Doctors say most children don't get mandatory booster dose for tetanus at the age of 10 and 16. ''If they are given the booster doses, the kids can develop immunity for life. It would also bring down indiscriminate use of tetanus. But we don't see many turning up for booster doses at 10 and 16 years of age,'' said Dr Bir Singh, professor of community medicine, AIIMS.      Similarly, the incidence of the contagious pertussis (whooping cough) is rising among kids in the 10-plus agegroup. The national immunization programme recommends booster doses for diphtheria and tetanus at the age of 5. ''These days, we see a lot of pertussis cases in children above 10 years. With time, the effect of the vaccine decreases. That is why booster doses of DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) are required at the age of 10,'' said Dr Pankaj Garg, consultant, neo-natology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.      Doctors say the national immunization programme is religiously followed for children up to two years. ''Till 24 months, vaccines are given at an interval of 2 to 3 months. But when we ask parents to come after two or four years, their turnout is dismal,'' said Dr Sisir Paul, paediatrician, Max Healthcare.  TIME FOR FOLLOW-UP  BOOSTER  A number of diseases are covered under the national immunization programme, but doctors say that follow-up rate of booster doses, especially given at 10 & 16 years of age, is very poor in India IMMUNIZATION ROUTINE  Primary vaccination  Bacillus Calmette-Guirin  Vaccine against tuberculosis  Administered at  Birth  Oral polio  Vaccine against polio  Administered at  Birth, 6, 10, 14 weeks  DPT  Vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis & tetanus  Administered at  6, 10, 14 weeks  Hepatitis B  Against bloodborne disease  Administered at  Birth, 6, 10, 14 weeks  Measles vaccine Administered at  9-12 months  Optional vaccines  H influenza (type B)  Against flu Administered at | 6, 10, 14 weeks Booster dose at | 18 mths  Hepatitis A  Against water-borne diseases Administered at | 12 mths Booster dose at | 18 mths  Chicken pox Administered at | 1 yr Booster dose at | 10 yrs  Pneumococcal vaccine  Against pneumonia  Administered at  6, 14, 20 weeks  Typhoid (VI) Administered at | 2 yrs Booster dose at  Every 3 yrs*  Meningococcal  Against meningitis Administered at | 2 yrs Booster dose at  Every 3 yrs*  *(until 18 years of age) BOOSTER DOSES  DPT & oral polio  16-24 months  DT  5 yrs (doctors recommend DPT booster dose at 10 years of age)  Tetanus Toxoid (TT)  At 10 years & again at 16 years  Vitamin A  9, 18, 24, 30 & 36 months after birth of the infant