Every year on March: 16th Indian government observes the day as National Vaccination Day. The other name, also calls Vaccination Day, is Immunization Day. The importance of this day is to acknowledge and also appreciate the hard work of the health care workers to ensure that every child in the country is given Vaccination on time.
The health care workers and some NGOs take the initiative to educate people on how Vaccination is important to save lives. This day has gained prominence since our country’s first Polio vaccination took place in the year 1995 in our country.
Vaccination Day History
During the 1990’s we have seen many people suffering their whole life due to Polio. Polio affected people physically and also psychologically. It made the people suffer their whole life. That was when the first Oral Polio vaccination dose was given for the first time in 1995. Today thanks to our government and the health care workers, there is no Polio in our country. The Polio vaccination is given throughout the country twice a year. This Vaccination is given from newborn till the child reaches the age of 5 years.
Importance of Vaccination
- Vaccination makes our immunity system stronger.
- Vaccination on time prevents many diseases and the spread of their disorders.
- By taking Vaccination, we are protecting ourselves, our families, and also our community.
- Vaccinations are safe, and they are needed to be taken on time.
- Vaccination from government hospitals would save you money and give you good health.
- By creating awareness about Vaccination, we are saving our generation along with future generations.
- Vaccination acts as the best protection against viruses.
- They help in the long run, and the person vaccinated won’t be affected by the diseases.
- By taking Vaccination on time, we can avoid complications that may take place in the future.
- Vaccination is given to a person right from the day they are born, the importance they are in our life.
Types of Vaccines:
One must have complete knowledge about the kinds of vaccines and when to take them. So, on this vaccination day, let us go to some government hospital and enquire in detail as to what all vaccinations are to be given to our family members as per their age. I am listing a few vaccination names for you here: Viral vector vaccines, Live-attenuated vaccines, conjugate vaccines, inactivated vaccines, Toxoid vaccines, Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, Subunit Vaccines, Polysaccharide Vaccines, Recombinant Vaccines.
Common Vaccines are given to everyone
- Whooping cough
- Mumps
- Tetanus
- Pneumococcal
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- Shingles
- Covid-19
National Vaccination Day 2023 Theme
The essential theme of this year’s 2023 National Vaccination Day is “Vaccines work for All.” We have a practical exam for this right in front of our eyes. With Vaccination, there is no more Polio in our country, and children are growing healthy. The recent incidents of Covidshield and Covaxin vaccines have saved many people’s lives in our country from Covid-19.
We all have experienced how scary the situations were back then due to the coronavirus. Thanks to Vaccination, our country has smoothly crossed the most challenging and deadly phase. Irrespective of the age group, vaccinations are essential and mandatory for everyone.
Importance of Vaccination for a New Born
- Children need to given much Vaccination from the time they are born till they reach the age of 2.
- The children must given vaccines on time for healthy living.
- Newborn kids’ immune system not completely developed, so they are prone to diseases and infections, and Vaccination can protect them.
- By giving Polio vaccination on time, we are gifting them a brighter life, saving them from deformities and paralysis.
- The government took the initiative and provided free vaccines, so parents need to enroll for that and keep track of the vaccines per the kid’s age.
- Vaccines are entirely safe, and parents need not bother at all. The fever they get on the day of Vaccination indicates that the vaccine works in an infant’s body to build a stronger immune system.
- There would not be any side effects from these vaccines.
Let me share more information about how Vaccines save our kids and us.
1. Vaccine- BCG
It given for Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is an infection that affects the lungs, and it also affects the brain in young children.
2. Hep-B
It given for Hepatitis B Virus. It is very dangerous and may cause cancer or progress to cirrhosis.
3. Polio
It given for Polio- Polio causes paralysis and may cause complete deformity.
4. DTP- Diphtheria
It given for Diphtheria, which infects the throat and causes tonsils that become difficult for the kids to breathe and swallow food.
5. DTP-Tetanus
It causes excruciation of muscle contractions; it becomes difficult even to swallow breastfeeding; at times, it can also be fatal.
6. DTP- Pertussis
It causes continuous coughs making breathing difficult, and at times, it can cause death.
7. Rotavirus
It causes vomiting and diarrhea in young children.
Vaccination Schedule to Follow from Birth till 5 Years
- Birth- BCG, HEP B1, OPV
- 6 weeks-42 days- DTwP /DTaP1, Hib-1, IPV-1, Hep B2, PCV 1,Rota-1
- 10 weeks-70 days- DTwP /DTaP2, PCV 2, Hib-2, Hep B3, IPV-2, Rota-2
- 14 weeks- 98 days- DTwP /DTaP3, PCV 3, IPV-3, Hib-3, Hep B4, Rota-3
- Six months- half year- Influenza-1
- Seven months- Influenza -2
- Between 6-9 months- Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine
- Nine months- MMR 1 (Mumps, Measles, Rubella)
- One year- Hepatitis A- 1
- 12-15 months- PCV Booster
- 15 months- MMR 2, Varicella
- 16-18 months- DTwP /DTaP, Hib, IPV
- 18-19 months- Hepatitis A- 2, Varicella 2
- 4-6 years- DTwP /DTaP, IPV, MMR 3
- 9-15 years- HPV (2 doses)
- 10-12 years- Tdap/ Td
National Vaccination Day Activities:
- Conferences and workshops can conducted to educate children.
- Parents can conduct a guest lecture and invite parents to educate them about the Vaccination to given to the kids.
- Government employees and NGOs can take the initiative and go to slums and other places where people need vaccine awareness.
- Banners and posters can made, and road shows can conducted.
- Information about the Vaccination, age, and purpose can shared on Social media platforms.
- TV and Radio programs can conducted on the day so that people will learn about Vaccination and its importance.
