Childhood Immunization Schedule

Whenever I inquire about a child's immunization, I always ask the parents if they go to the health center or their child's pediatrician for immunization. This is because many parents assume that their child has completed his required immunization after their child has received all the vaccines given by the heath center. What the health workers failed to explain to them is that the child only received the vaccines under the Philippine Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) of the Department of Health. These vaccines are BCG (1 dose), DPT (Diptheria, Pertusis, Tetanus; 3 doses), OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine; 3 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses) and Measles (1 dose).

There are actually other available vaccines that can be given to the child when a child reaches a specific age. Booster doses of the vaccines under the EPI are also important.

Here is the list of vaccines that your child needs according to his age:

Less than 1 year old:
BCG: 1 dose
Hepatitis B: 3 doses
DPT: 3 doses
OPV or IPV: 3 doses
HiB (H influenza B): 3 doses
Measles: 1 dose
Rotavirus: 2 or 3 doses
IPD (Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Vaccine): 3 doses
Flu: 2 doses (yearly thereafter)

1 year old:
Chickenpox: 1 dose
Hepatitis A: 2 doses
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) : 1 dose
First Booster: DPT-IPV-HiB
Booster Dose: IPD

2 years old:
Pneumococcal (Pneumo 23)
Meningococcemia
Typhoid

4 years old:
Second Booster: DPT-IPV
Second Booster: MMR
Second Booster: Chickenpox

10 years old:
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

If your child wasn't able to receive the vaccine during the recommended age, you don't have to worry because there's actually catch-up immunization. Just ask your child's pediatrician.