IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT CHILD VACCINATION IN KENYA
DEFINITIONS
IMMUNIZATION:
Deliberate provocation of an adaptive immune response by introducing antigen into the body.
VACCINATION:
Deliberate induction of an adaptive immune response to a pathogen by injecting a vaccine,a killed or attenuated form of the pathogen.
VACCINE:
A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases, prepared from the causative agent of a disease, its products, or a synthetic substitute, treated to act as an antigen without inducing the disease
A. KEPI VACCINE/GOVERNMENT SCHEDULE
Given at birth
1. BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin)
Given as an injection 0.05ml under the skin (intra-dermal) of the left fore arm.
It helps protect the child against Tuberculosis (TB)
2. Polio Vaccine: 2 drops per oral.
It helps protect the child against poliomyelitis (polio) to avert crippling in children.
Given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age
1. Polio Vaccine: Dose: 2 drops administered
Children can safely receive the polio booster any time before they are 5 years old.
2. Pentavalent Vaccine: Dose: 0.5mls Intra muscular left outer thigh
Contains a combination of five vaccines hence the name Penta.
It acts against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenza.
SIDE EFFECTS
- Fever
- Pain at injection site
- Swelling or redness on injection site
- Irritability
ADVERSE EFFECTS
- Injection site abscess
3. Pneumococcal Vaccine: Dose: 0.5ml Intra muscular right outer thigh
This vaccine helps to prevent pneumonia. Was added in 2012.
4. Rota Virus vaccine: 1.5mls administered orally
Given at 6 & 10 weeks
Helps prevent rotavirus infection which is the leading cause of diarrheal diseases in children worldwide.
At 6 Months
- Measles Rubella Vaccine
In event of a measles rubella outbreak or HIV exposed children
- Flu vaccine: Vitamin A 100000iu per Oral
At 9 Months
1st Dose Measles Rubella Vaccine: Dose 0.5ml subcutaneously right upper arm.
At 12 Months
- Vitamin A 200000 IU
- Deworming with Albendazole 200mg
At 18 Months
2nd Dose Measles Rubella Vaccine: Dose 0.5ml subcutaneous right upper arm
Vitamin A 200000 IU and deworming with Albendazole 200mg
At 9 Months – Only in the selected counties
Yellow Fever Vaccine: Dose 0.5mls Intra Muscular left upper deltoid
N/B: Vitamin A and Deworming is given to the child at 1 year and repeat after every 6 months till the child is 5 Years old.
At 10 Years
HPV – Human Papilloma Virus
Given in two doses 1st Dose then 2nd Dose after 6 months
N/B: For HIV exposed girls receive 3 doses 6 months apart
B. BABY FRIENDLY VACCINES
BIRTH
- BCG
- Oral polio
- Hepatitis B 0.5mls Intra muscular
6, 10 & 14 WEEKS
- Hexaxim/infanrix
- Rotarix,
- Prevenar 13
- Oral polio
6 MONTHS
- Flu Vaccine
- Vitamin A 100000iu
7 MONTHS
Flu Vaccine
9 MONTHS
- MMR
- Yellow fever vaccine
10 MONTHS
Meningoccal ACY and W conjugate
1 YEAR
- Vitamin 200000iu
- Hepatitis A
- Varicella,
- Dewormer 200mg.
15 MONTHS
- Meningoccal Vaccine
- MMR,
18 MONTHS
- Hexaxim/Infanrix Booster
- MMR
- Vitamin A 200000IU
- Dewormer
2 YEARS
- Typhoid Vaccine
- Flu Vaccine
- Dewormer
- Vitamin 200,000iu
5 YEARS
Booster
- IPV
- Typhoid Vaccine
- Flu vaccine
9 YEARS
- HPV
- Flu vaccine
ANNUALLY
Flu vaccine
REVACCINATION
- Typhoid Vaccine – every 3 years
- Meningococcal Vaccine
- Cholera Vaccine
- Verorab/Antirabies.
Article by: Jilian M’kea
Immunization Nurse
Imara Mediplus Hospital
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