Immunization means to make one free from a disease by injecting disease germs or their poisons. It is necessary to protect a child from infections and other hazardous and communicable diseases. A child has a low resistance power to fight these diseases. Therefore, immunization is necessary.
Facilities for immunization are available at all health centers, in hospitals, dispensaries, with private doctors and even in the rural health sub centers.
We can protect children against three deadly diseases- diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus by immunizing them with triple vaccine. Immunization of mothers with Tetanus Toxoid during pregnancy pregnancy saves them and the new born from tetanus.
Similarly, in order to prevent the children from poliomyelitis (polio) three does of polio-vaccine is given at intervals of 4 to 8 weeks. A booster does is given after 12 to 18 months.
BCG vaccine is given to children in the age group of 3 to 9 months to protect them from childhood Tuberculosis.
Two doses of the vaccine at intervals of 1 to 2 months are given for typhoid. For Measles and small -pox also vaccination is given to the children.
Children age 3 to 9 months :- small -pox vaccine, BCG vaccine, triple vaccine (DPT) against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, polio vaccine- 3 doses at invervals of 1- 2 months.