Dr. Muhammad Zeeshan Khan, MBBS, FCPS, Child Specialist

Complete Guide to Child Vaccination & Best Child Specialist in Lahore

Ensuring a child’s health and well-being is the top priority for every parent. One of the most effective ways to protect children from life-threatening diseases is vaccination. It strengthens their immune system and prevents illnesses such as polio, measles, hepatitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and typhoid.

In Pakistan, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) provides free vaccinations to safeguard children against 12 preventable diseases. Following the recommended vaccination schedule is crucial to ensuring long-term protection.

Why Are Vaccinations Important?

Newborns and young children are vulnerable to infectious diseases due to their developing immune systems. Vaccines help the body recognize and fight harmful viruses and bacteria before they cause severe illness. Skipping or delaying vaccines increases the risk of severe infections, long-term complications, and even death.

In addition to individual protection, vaccinations help prevent disease outbreaks in communities. When a significant portion of the population is immunized, the spread of contagious diseases is minimized, protecting even those who are not vaccinated.

Complete Vaccination Schedule in Pakistan

The Government of Pakistan has implemented a structured vaccination schedule to provide children with timely immunization. Parents should ensure that their child receives all recommended vaccines according to the following timeline:

At Birth:

✔ BCG Vaccine – Protects against Tuberculosis (TB), particularly TB meningitis.
✔ OPV-0 (Oral Polio Vaccine) – Provides early immunity against polio, a disabling disease.

???? 6 Weeks Old:

✔ OPV-1 (Polio Vaccine) – Booster dose for continued polio protection.
✔ Pentavalent-1 (DTP + Hep B + Hib) – Protects against Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Hib infections.
✔ Rotavirus Vaccine-1 – Helps prevent severe diarrhea in infants.

10 Weeks Old:

✔ OPV-2 – Second dose for polio prevention.
✔ Pentavalent-2 – Booster for DTP, Hepatitis B, and Hib infections.
✔ Rotavirus Vaccine-2 – Second dose to enhance diarrheal disease prevention.

14 Weeks Old:

✔ OPV-3 – Third dose for continued polio protection.
✔ Pentavalent-3 – Final booster for DTP, Hepatitis B, and Hib.
✔ IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) – Provides stronger and long-term immunity against polio.

9 Months Old:

✔ Measles-1 Vaccine – Protects against measles, which can lead to pneumonia, diarrhea, and brain infections.

15 Months Old:

✔ Measles-2 Vaccine – Second dose ensures lifelong immunity against measles.

Important: All these vaccines are provided free of cost at government hospitals and EPI centers across Pakistan. Parents should strictly follow this schedule to ensure their child’s safety.

Final Thoughts

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from deadly diseases. By following the recommended immunization schedule, parents can ensure their child develops a strong immune system and stays protected from infections.