Vaccination at the appropriate age is essential for building a healthy and capable generation. Administering vaccines according to schedule protects children from serious infectious diseases and strengthens their immunity.
Vaccination Schedule in Bangladesh
Under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), children in Bangladesh receive vaccines against 10 diseases from birth up to 15 months of age. The recommended schedule is as follows:
• At birth: BCG vaccine is given to protect against tuberculosis.
• At 6, 10, and 14 weeks: Children receive the Pentavalent vaccine (protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b), OPV (polio), and PCV (pneumonia). Injectable polio (IPV) is also given at 6 and 14 weeks.
• At 9 and 15 months: Two doses of the MR vaccine are administered to protect against measles and rubella.
• At 9 months: One dose of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is given to prevent typhoid fever.
• For cervical cancer prevention: HPV vaccine is provided for girls in grades 5–9 or for girls aged 10–14 who are out of school. Cervical cancer has the highest mortality rate among women in Bangladesh, and timely vaccination can significantly reduce the risk.
• For women of reproductive age (15–49 years): Five doses of the tetanus vaccine are given to protect both mothers and their future children from life-threatening tetanus.
What to Do If a Dose Is Missed
If a vaccine is missed, there is no need to panic. Parents should contact the nearest vaccination centre as soon as possible. Missing a dose can leave a child partially unprotected, but receiving a delayed vaccine is always better than skipping it altogether.
Importance of Booster Doses
The effectiveness of some vaccines may decrease over time. Booster doses help restore immunity. For example, booster doses for tetanus and diphtheria ensure long-term protection.
Source: World Health Organisation, Unicef