We all want the best for our baby bundles, especially when they are brand new and at their most vulnerable. Proper vaccinations are a critical component of preventative care for our little ones. Follow this handy guide to learn about what immunisations your bub needs when!

ALSO SEE: When Will Your Baby Start Teething

After just a few weeks after being born, it’s time to time to start the process of proper vaccination. South Africa’s immunisation schedule is in line with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations of how our little ones should be vaccinated, and these are available at government clinics, private practices, and also from pharmacy clinics, like Dis-Chem’s Well Baby Clinic. Here is the complete list of vaccines needed from 0-18 months, as outlined in Child Mag:

 

 

Age:

 

Vaccine: Dose: Route: Site:
At birth BCG* 0.05mls Intradermal injection Deltoid muscle, right arm
Polio Vaccine 2 drops – dose 0 Oral Mouth
Vitamin A 200 00IU Administered to mom Oral
 

 

6 weeks old

 

 

Polio Vaccine

 

 

2 drops – dose 1

 

 

Oral

 

 

Mouth

DTP/HIB** Vaccine 0.5mls Deep intra-muscular injection Left thigh
Hepatitis B Vaccine 0.5mls Deep intra-muscular injection Right thigh
 

 

10 weeks

 

 

Polio Vaccine

 

 

2 drops – dose 2

 

 

Oral

 

 

Mouth

DTP/HIB Vaccines 0.5mls Deep intra-muscular injection Left thigh
Hepatitis B Vaccines 0.5mls Deep intra-muscular injection Right thigh
 

 

14 weeks

 

 

Polio Vaccine

 

 

2 drops – dose 4

 

 

Oral

 

 

Mouth

DTP/HIB Vaccines 0.5mls Deep intra-muscular injection Left thigh
Hepatitis B Vaccines 0.5mls Deep intra-muscular injection Right thigh
 

 

6 months

 

 

Vitamin A

 

 

100 000IU

 

 

Oral

 

 

Mouth

 

 

9 months

 

 

Measles

 

 

0.5mls

 

 

Deep intra-muscular injection

 

 

Right thigh

 

 

1 year

 

 

Vitamin A

 

 

200 000IU

 

 

Oral

 

 

Mouth

 

 

18 months

 

 

Polio Vaccine

 

 

2 drops – dose 4

 

 

Oral

 

 

Mouth

DTP Vaccine 0.5mls Deep intra-muscular injection Left upper arm
Measles 0.5mls Deep intra-muscular injection Right upper arm
Vitamin A 200 000IU Oral Mouth

 

Remember that your babycakes is probably going to be a little upset and fussy after their shots – not nice for mom, we know! Side-effects typically include some soreness and a low-grade fever, and any other symptoms should be addressed by a doctor. A warm compress on the area can help reduce soreness, as can gently ‘bicycling’ the arm or leg where the shot was given.

**Diphteria, tetanus, pertussis vaccines, inactivated polio vaccines, haemophilus influenza type b vaccine

February 04, 2019 — Lisa Raleigh
Tags: Lifestyle