DISEASES PREVENTED BY VACCINES:
| Vaccine |
Disease
Prevented |
| BCG |
Tuberculosis |
OPV
(Oral Polio Vaccine) |
Poliomyelitis. |
| DPT
(Triple Vaccine) |
D:
Diphtheria,
P: Pertussis (Whooping Cough),
T: Tetanus. |
| Hepatitis
– B Vaccine |
Hepatitis
– B |
| Measles
Vaccine |
Measles |
| MMR
Vaccine |
M:
Mumps,
M: Measles,
R: Rubella (German Measles). |
BCG:
BCG is given on the left shoulder. Within 3 – 6 weeks (sometimes
a few months) of giving BCG a small swelling/ redness appears
at the site of injection. The swelling will soften and subsequently
rupture discharging pus. This ulcer takes several weeks to heal,
leaving behind a scar. The ulcer should be kept dry and cleaned
with soap and water. No ointment/cream is required. There may
be an associated swelling in the armpit or in some cases on the
neck. It is nothing to be worried about, but if the swelling increases
more than 1 cm in diameter or becomes red or soft or attached
to the overlying skin, consult your doctor. This swelling may
persist for months or years.
If
no reaction or mark is seen at BCG injection site after 3 months,
consult your doctor. BCG significantly decreases the risk of tuberculous
meningitis (Brain TB) and other widespread forms of tuberculosis.
OPV:
OPV given at the time of birth is called zero polio. Total 5 polio
doses are given in the first year of life.
Over and above
that ‘pulses polio’ doses are administered at least
twice a year (usually in winter) to all children below 5 years
of age, irrespective of number and time of previous polio doses.
Additional
doses of polio may be given in a particular area if a case of
polio is found in that area.
Last
updated on 23-08-2001
