Optimizing Your Child’s Immunity: The Importance of Early-Life Immunization

Mom & Dad, have you completed your child’s vaccinations? Vaccination is just as important as exclusive breastfeeding, as it helps strengthen a child’s developing immune system. Here's more about the benefits of immunization and the diseases it can prevent.

In general, immunization involves administering vaccines to protect against disease transmission and prevent severe complications in the future. Newborns have relatively weaker immune systems, making them more vulnerable to infections and serious illnesses. Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated viruses or bacteria that help train the body’s natural immune defenses to recognize and fight these pathogens.

Besides protecting the individual, vaccines also reduce the spread of disease to others who cannot receive immunizations due to age or medical conditions. As more people are vaccinated, the overall risk of disease transmission in the community decreases.

 

Childhood Immunization Schedule by Age

To gain the maximum benefit from vaccines, immunizations should be administered on time. Some vaccines require only one dose, while others need follow-up boosters.

No need to worry, here is the full immunization schedule as recommended by Pediatricians:

1. 0–6 Months

• Hepatitis B: 4 doses (first within 24 hours of birth, then at 2, 3, and 4 months).

• Polio (bOPV/IPV): 6 doses total—oral drops at birth, 2, 3, and 4 months; injectable at 4 months.

• BCG: 1 dose shortly after birth or before 1 month old.

• DTP: 3 doses at 2, 3, and 4 months.

• HiB: 3 doses at 2, 3, and 4 months.

• PCV: 3 doses at 2, 4, and 6 months.

• Rotavirus:

  • Monovalent: 2 doses—first at 6–12 weeks, second with at least a 4-week interval (latest by 24 weeks).

  • Pentavalent: 3 doses—first at 6–12 weeks, with 4–10 week intervals, final dose by 32 weeks.

2. 6–12 Months

• Influenza: 2 doses at 6 and 7 months; annually thereafter.

• Japanese Encephalitis: 1 dose at 9 months, booster by age 2.

• MMR: 1 dose at 9 months, booster at 15–18 months, and another at 5–7 years.

3. 12–24 Months

• Hepatitis A: 2 doses starting at 12 months, with a 6–18 month interval.

• Varicella: 2 doses at 12–18 months, spaced 3 months apart.

• Typhoid: 1 dose at 2 years old, repeated every 3 years.

4. 2–18 Years

• Dengue: 2 doses for children aged 6 years and older, 3 months apart.

• HPV:

  • Ages 9–14: 2 doses, 6–12 months apart.

  • Ages 15+: 3 doses with 2-month and 6-month intervals.

 

Diseases Prevented by Vaccination

Ensuring complete immunization protects your child from many dangerous illnesses, including:

• Hepatitis B – Prevents liver infection

• Polio – Prevents paralysis

• BCG – Prevents tuberculosis

• DTP – Prevents diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis

• HiB – Prevents meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B

• PCV – Prevents pneumonia

• Rotavirus – Prevents severe diarrhea

• Influenza – Prevents seasonal flu

• Japanese Encephalitis – Prevents brain infection caused by JE virus

• MMR – Prevents measles, mumps, and rubella

• Hepatitis A – Prevents acute liver inflammation

• Varicella – Prevents chickenpox and its complications

• Typhoid – Prevents typhoid fever

• Dengue – Prevents dengue hemorrhagic fever

• HPV – Prevents cervical cancer, anal cancer, and genital warts

 

Support Immunization with a Healthy Lifestyle

In addition to completing vaccinations, support your child’s development with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Tzu Chi Hospital offers customizable pediatric vaccine packages tailored to your child’s needs. Book your immunization appointment with our Pediatricians by contacting the Tzu Chi Hospital Call Center.

 

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Rose Grand Chen, M.Ked(Ped), Sp.A.