One important way to maintain your child’s health is through vaccination. Vaccination is a medical measure that helps strengthen a child’s immune system to protect them against various diseases. But what vaccines do children actually need?
The Indonesian Ministry of Health has now added three types of vaccines that should be given routinely: PCV, rotavirus, and HPV vaccines.
In addition, there are 12 other vaccines recommended by the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) to be administered on a regular basis. What are they? Let’s take a closer look below!
List of Vaccines for Children
Children tend to have immune systems that are not yet fully developed, so their overall health needs to be carefully maintained.
One of the best ways to protect your child’s health is by ensuring they receive vaccinations on a regular basis.
Based on recommendations from IDAI, there are 15 types of routine vaccines for children that should be given periodically according to the recommended schedule. Here’s a closer look at each of them:
1. Hepatitis B Vaccine
The first type of vaccine for children is the hepatitis B vaccine.
As the name suggests, this immunization is given to protect against the hepatitis B virus, which can affect liver health.
According to the immunization schedule recommended by IDAI in 2020, the hepatitis B vaccine is administered in four primary doses and one booster dose:
- Dose 1: within the first 24 hours after birth.
- Dose 2: at 2 months old.
- Dose 3: at 3 months old.
- Dose 4: at 4 months old.
- Booster dose: at 18 months old.
2. BCG Vaccine
The BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine is used to protect against tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection that primarily affects the respiratory system.
Unlike the hepatitis B vaccine, the BCG vaccine is typically given only once in a lifetime, usually when the child is around 1 month old.
If the child is older than 3 months, the vaccine can still be administered, as long as the tuberculin test shows a negative result.
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3. Polio Vaccine
Next, another essential childhood vaccine is the polio vaccine. It helps prevent polio, a disease that can cause paralysis.
Polio immunization is given in two forms: oral (OPV) and injectable (IPV).
Children will receive four doses of the oral polio vaccine, starting with dose 0 at birth up to 1 month of age, followed by additional doses at 2, 3, and 4 months old.
Meanwhile, the injectable polio vaccine is given once when the child is 18 months old.
4. DPT Vaccine
The next type of childhood vaccine is the DPT vaccine. It helps protect against three diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus.
The DPT vaccine is initially given in four doses, starting when the child is 2, 3, and 4 months old.
After that, children are also recommended to receive DPT booster shots at several stages:
- At 18 months.
- At 5–7 years.
- At 10–18 years (as the Td vaccine, which protects against tetanus and diphtheria).
Further Td boosters are then given every 10 years.
5. HiB Vaccine
The Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) vaccine is a type of childhood vaccine used to prevent diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis.
The Hib vaccine is given in three primary doses when the child is 2, 3, and 4 months old, followed by one booster dose at 18 months of age.
6. MMR Vaccine
Children are given the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine to help prevent measles, mumps, and rubella.
The immunization schedule for the MMR vaccine includes:
- Dose 1: at 9 months of age (MR vaccine, which protects against measles and rubella)
- Booster dose 2: at 18 months of age (MMR vaccine)
- Booster dose 3: at 5–7 years of age (MMR vaccine)
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7. PCV Vaccine
PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) is a type of vaccine given to children to help prevent bacterial infections that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia.
This vaccine is administered in three primary doses and one booster dose:
- Primary dose 1: at 2 months of age
- Primary dose 2: at 4 months of age
- Primary dose 3: at 6 months of age
- Booster dose: at 12–15 months of age
8. Rotavirus Vaccine
Rotavirus is known to cause digestive problems in children, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
To help prevent this, children are recommended to receive the rotavirus vaccine.
This immunization is given in three doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
9. Influenza Vaccine
Another important type of childhood vaccine is the influenza vaccine. This vaccine is different from the Hib vaccine, as it is used to protect against the influenza viruses.
Children receive their first influenza vaccine at 6 months of age.
After that, it is recommended that children receive a booster dose once every year, starting from 6 months of age onward.
10. JE Vaccine
The JE (Japanese Encephalitis) vaccine helps protect children from a mosquito-borne virus that can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis).
This vaccine is given according to the following schedule:
- Primary dose 1: at 9 months of age
- Booster dose 2: at 2–3 years of age ( especially for children living in endemic areas).
11. Varicella Vaccine
The varicella vaccine is given to children to help prevent infection from the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster).
The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) recommends that the varicella vaccine be administered twice, with an interval of 6 to 12 months, starting at 12–18 months of age.
12. Hepatitis A Vaccine
To help prevent hepatitis A infection, which affects the liver, children can receive the hepatitis A vaccine.
This vaccine is given in two doses, with an interval of 6 to 36 months, starting at 12–24 months of age.
13. Typhoid Vaccine
The next vaccine recommended by IDAI is the typhoid vaccine.
This vaccine is given to help prevent typhoid fever, also known as typhoid fever, which is caused by infection with the bacterium Salmonella typhi.
The first dose of the typhoid vaccine is given when the child is 24 months old. After that, booster doses are recommended every 3 years from the age of 5 years up to 18 years.
14. HPV Vaccine
The Ministry of Health has recently included the HPV vaccine as part of the routine immunization schedule for elementary school children.
The HPV vaccine is given to girls as a preventive measure against cervical cancer.
Children will receive two doses of the HPV vaccine, given at an interval according to recommendations, when they are between 9 and 14 years old.
15. Dengue Vaccine
The final type of vaccine for school-aged children is the dengue vaccine.
This vaccine is given to help prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), a disease caused by a virus carried by mosquitoes.
The dengue vaccine is administered in three doses, with a 6-month interval between each dose, for children aged 9–16 years.
That concludes the overview of the list of childhood vaccines recommended by IDAI to be given regularly according to the schedule.
Lastly, it is also important to support your child’s recovery after vaccination by meeting their nutritional needs, one of which is ensuring they drink enough water to help maintain a healthy immune system.
Drinking enough water helps protect children from dehydration, which can weaken the immune system and lead to symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and increased body temperature [3].
For a practical option, you can bring AQUA mineral water to accompany your child during vaccination visits.
AQUA mineral water goes through a strict selection process involving 9 specific criteria and 5 rigorous stages. In addition, AQUA undergoes up to 400 quality checks to ensure its natural purity and safety.
AQUA is available in several packaging sizes to suit your needs, including AQUA Cube, 330 ml, 600 ml, and 1500 ml. It is also available in a 19-liter gallon for home use.
Let’s always keep #AQUADULU ready to support your child’s daily activities and your family’s healthy lifestyle!
