6 in 1 Vaccination

What is Diphtheria and how can my baby catch it ?

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of nose and throat.Diphtheria spreads usually through:

- Respiratory droplets from an infected person’s coughing or sneezing.

- Close contact with infected open sores or ulcers

What would happen if my baby got Diphtheria?

Diphtheria symptoms include weakness, sore throat, fever & swollen glands in the neck. A thick coating could form in the throat that can lead to difficulty in breathing or swallowing along with complications like blocking of airway, heart damage, nerve damage, lung infection and paralysis.

How can I protect my baby from Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is preventable with vaccination. The diphtheria vaccine is usually combined with vaccines for tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis). The diphtheria vaccine in combination with other antigens is one of the childhood immunizations that doctors recommend during infancy.

What is Pertussis and how can my baby catch it?

Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory infection which can be very serious, especially for newborn babies and young infants.

Pertussis is spread through the air by infectious droplets, so it is easily transmitted by other people coughing or sneezing or being close to a person with the disease. Mothers are the main source of Pertussis infection for newborns.

What would happen if my baby got Pertussis?

Pertussis can cause serious complications in babies and young infants less than 2 months of age. Infants and young children can be distressed and may turn blue due to difficulty in breathing.

What are the ways to protect my newborn from Pertussis?

Pertussis can be prevented by vaccinating the infant. Other strategies to prevent Pertussis in young infants includes vaccination of mothers, family members and close contacts. Other measures include isolation from the infected person. Please contact your doctor for more details.

What is Tetanus and how can my baby catch it?

Tetanus is an acute, often fatal disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. it is characterized by general rigidity and spasms of skeletal muscles.

The muscle stiffness usually involves the jaw (lockjaw) and neck and then may spread to the entire body.

The bacteria spores are usually found in soil, dust and manure and enter the body through breaks in the skin - usually cuts or puncture wounds caused by contaminated objects.

What would happen if my baby got Tetanus?

In neonatal tetanus, symptoms include muscle spasms, which are often preceded by the newborn’s inability to suck or breastfeed and excessive crying.

In older children and adults, it can lead to cramping of jaw, painful tightening of muscles and seizures. This can lead to complications like broken bones, breathing difficulty, spasm in the vocal cords.

What are the ways to protect my newborn from Tetanus?

CDC recommends vaccination, good wound care, and maintenance to help prevent tetanus infection. Doctors can also use a medicine to help prevent tetanus in cases where someone is seriously hurt and has not been vaccinated for Tetanus.

What is Haemophilus Influenza Type b?

Haemophilus Influenza Type b is bacteria that can lead to various invasive diseases, ranging from mild to serious. Some of the common conditions that a Hib infection can lead to are:
• Ear infections
• Bronchitis (bronchial tube lining inflammation causing cough, shortness of breath, etc.)

Bacterial meningitis (inflammation of protective membranes of spinal cord and brain).Pneumonia
Brain damage
Blood, joints, or bone infections

When should a child receive Haemophilus Influenza Type b (Hib) Vaccination?

The vaccination schedule for Hib varies as per the age of the child. Less than 6 months: 3 primary (at least 1 month apart) and 1 booster at 16-18 months.

6 -12 months: 2 primary (at least 1 month apart) and 1 booster at 16-18 months.

12-15 months: 1 dose followed by a booster at 16-18 months.

15 months – 5 years: 1 dose may suffice.

Hib vaccines are available as a standalone or in combination.

Different vaccines may have different schedules, consult your paediatrician for more information.

However, consult your doctor for more information.

How can I protect my child from Hib infection?

Hib infections commonly occur among children under 5 years of age. One of the known way to avoid getting infected with Haemophilus Influenza Type b is vaccination. Also, Hib can infect the same person more than once. Thus, vaccination is recommended even if the person has been infected once before.

What is Hepatitis b ?

Hepatitis B is a contagious viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It affects the liver and can cause acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) illness.

The risk of developing a long-term infection is higher among children. While only 2-6 per cent of adults with a Hepatitis B infection develop a long-term illness or infection, the number can be as high as 90% among infants.

While not everyone who is infected may experience symptoms, some could face conditions such as cirrhosis (chronic liver disease) and liver cancer, which may prove fatal.

How is Hepatitis B transmitted?

The risk of exposure to Hepatitis B starts at birth. Here are some of the common ways that one could get infected with Hepatitis B:

When should a child receive Vaccination for Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B vaccination schedules are very flexible, providing multiple options. These include: Birth, 6 and 14 weeks Birth, 6 weeks, 6 months Birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks infancy.