Baby Vaccinations

What Vaccinations Do Kids Need if Living in Dubai From Birth? Vaccination or immunisation is an extremely important step in ensuring a disease free and healthy life for children. Today the need is even more crucial as a large number of disease-causing agents have emerged which can afflict children of all age groups. It is even more important for infants as their immune system capabilities are limited against such pathogens. Therefore the children have to undergo vaccinations for a number of diseases. Moreover as the prevalence of diseases differs from country to country (as some pathogens are endemic to a certain geographical region) therefore different immunisations are required and the guidelines for vaccinations are also different.

Also, the vaccines to be administered also depend on the age of the child so different vaccines are administered at different times throughout the child’s life. The administration of vaccines also varies as some diseases have live organisms, some have attenuated or killed strains of the pathogenic organisms, and in some cases Immunoglobulin’s can be administered. Moreover, the mode of administration is different as per the vaccine. Some vaccines can be administered as Intramuscular injections while others are given as subcutaneous injections, and a number of vaccines are administered in multiple doses with a time gap so as to ensure lifelong immunity. Therefore, in Dubai the vaccinations recommended are as such for different age groups.

Children 0-6 Years of Age:

At Time of Birth

BCG vaccine & 2 Hepatitis B vaccine injections (2 injections within 24 hours of birth, and next shot at 4 weeks)

What is BCG? BCG vaccination, (also called a jab, injection or immunisation) has been shown to give 70%-80% protection against TB (Tuberculosis).

What is Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B vaccine is a vaccine developed for the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection.

At Two Months

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), Diphtheria Pertussis (DPT), Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Rotavirus & Pneumococcal (Taken Orally)

What is Hib? Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine (Hib) is a conjugate vaccine developed for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria.

What is DPT? Diphtheria Pertussis (DPT) is an Injection against coughs & everyday diseases.

Note: The Hib & DPT is an all in one shot.

What is Rotavirus? A rotavirus vaccine protects children from rotaviruses, which are the leading cause of severe diarrhea among infants and young children. (Taken Orally)

What is Pneumococcal? The Pneumococcal vaccination provides protection against infections caused by bacteria called pneumococcus. Examples of pheumococcus bacteria include pneumonia, septicaemia (Blood Poisoning) & Meningitis. (Taken Orally)

At Four Months

Second doses of DPT, Rotavirus, Polio vaccine, Pneumococcal & Hib.

What is the Polio Vaccine? It is to protect children against the polio disease which I am sure most people know was a massive problem in the early 1990s.

At Six Months

Third doses of Hib, Polio vaccine & DPT.

At 9 Months

Third (final) dose of Hepatitis B vaccine.

At 12 Months

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine (MMR)

What are they? MMR is a live vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella and all 3 vaccines are given in 1 injection. Mumps and rubella cannot kill children but they can cause problems later on in life if they are not given the required vaccinations.

At 18 Months

Diphtheria Pertussis (DTP), Oral Polio booster, Hib, and Pneumococcal vaccine

At 5 – 6 Years

Oral Polio vaccine, DPT, Varicella, and MMR

Children 7 – 18 Years of Age:

At 11 – 12 Years

DPT for those kids having completed earlier course and Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)

What is MCV4? Meningococcal vaccine is a vaccine used against Meningococcus, a bacterium that causes meningitis, meningococcemia, septicemia, and rarely carditis, septic arthritis, or pneumonia.

At 13 – 18 Years

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine for those not vaccinated earlier. The three dose series of Hepatitis B for those who were not vaccinated earlier. Varicella two dose series if not vaccinated earlier. MMR two doses with a gap of 4 weeks if not previously immunised. Human Papilloma Virus for girls in the age group 11 – 16 years.

To ensure the success of immunisation, several factors contribute. First is the proper storage of vaccines and related preparations in refrigerators for long-term and in case of transportation, cold boxes should be readily available. Furthermore, proper sterilisation of equipment such as syringes etc. and proper and adequate sterilisation of injection sites, wounds can prevent vaccine related toxicities and adverse reactions. Finally, the medical personnel involved should maintain proper sanitation to reduce the risk of infections to self and others. These little precautions can help in making vaccinations provide a healthy childhood and ill free future for your children.