Immunizations

Immunization: The process by which a person becomes protected against a disease.

Vaccination: The act of giving a vaccine (usually by injection or drops) to a person to make them immune.

Vaccine: A special substance made from weakened or killed germs that teaches the body how to fight a real germ.

Step What happens

1 Vaccine enters the body (injection or drops)

2 Body detects the weakened/dead germs

3 Body produces antibodies (special fighters)

4 Antibodies remember the germ

5 If real germ attacks later, body destroys it immediately

Step 4: Common Childhood Immunizations and Diseases Prevented

Vaccine Given against (Disease) How given

BCG Tuberculosis (TB) – affects lungs Injection (upper arm)

OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) Polio – causes paralysis Drops by mouth

Penta (or DPT + Hep B + Hib) Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Hib Injection (thigh)

PCV Pneumonia – lung infection Injection

Rotavirus Severe diarrhea (vomiting and stooling) Drops by mouth

Measles vaccine Measles – fever, rash Injection

Yellow Fever vaccine Yellow fever – jaundice, bleeding Injection

COVID-19 vaccine COVID-19 Injection

Age Vaccine

At birth (0 weeks) BCG, OPV (0), Hepatitis B

6 weeks OPV (1), Penta (1), PCV (1), Rotavirus (1)

10 weeks OPV (2), Penta (2), PCV (2), Rotavirus (2)

14 weeks OPV (3), Penta (3), PCV (3)

9 months Measles, Yellow Fever

12-18 months Booster doses

Prevents dangerous diseases Stops outbreaks (epidemics)

Saves money on treatment Protects those who cannot be vaccinated (e.g., very sick babies)

Prevents disability (e.g., polio) Helps achieve herd immunity (when most people are immune, disease cannot spread)

Allows child to grow healthy Saves the nation money on healthcare