Parenthood isn’t just the best feeling, it’s also the most responsible job in the world. And no parent will disagree with that! Once you become a parent you realise that you have stepped into an unfamiliar territory. A territory filled with unseen and unpredictable terrain.
With time, parents learn the various big and small aspects related with day-to-day parenting. Every day teaches them something new and they move a little forward in their journey. One of the most important aspect of these learnings is the timely immunisation of their child. So she / he child can be safe from harmful diseases and live healthy and longer.
By the time a child is two years old, she / he might have received between 12 to 24 life-saving vaccinations. For all parents it is of utmost importance to know all the vaccinations their child needs. That’s why it is vital to prepare an immunisation calendar. With its mobile app (android / iOS), Nurturey makes this calendar-making job easier for parents. Once downloaded, the app will not only help you prepare a calendar but also notify you about the upcoming vaccination. That’s not all. With its various features the app will enable you get better at parenting and live stress-free. And it’s not tedious or time-consuming at all. It does not take more than a few minutes and ensures complete safety of your child.
Why prepare a calendar?
When it comes to immunisation, timing is everything! A calendar will help you fix a doctor’s appointment and save your child from all vaccine-preventable diseases. For young children to provide best protection, it is very important to follow a routine schedule and get all the shots on time. As children grow their physical anatomy changes and they require vaccination so their immune system can get strong. Any delay in immunisation can be very risky and pose a serious threat to their health like meningitis, pneumonia, paralysis, seizures or, in some cases, brain damage.
Calendar for the first two years
Children are most vulnerable when they are under two years of age. Once you have prepared a calendar, the next step is to take them to a clinic and get them the shots they require. Within the first two years of their life they will need vaccines that will protect them against these diseases:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis
- Hepatitis B
- Polio
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
- Meningococcal disease
- Pneumococcal disease
- Rotavirus
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (German Measles)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Influenza
Here’s a glimpse of an immunisation calendar usually recommended for the first year:
| Birth | 2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 1 year | 15–18 months | 4–6 years | |
|
HepB |
1st dose | 2nd dose (1–2 months) | — | 3rd dose (age 6–18 months) | — | — |
— |
|
RV |
— | 1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose (in some cases) | — | — |
— |
|
DTaP |
— | 1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose | — | 4th dose | 5th dose |
|
Hib |
— | 1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose (in some cases) | Booster dose (age 12–15 months) | — |
— |
| PCV | — | 1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose | 4th dose (age 12–15 months) | — |
— |
|
IPV |
— | 1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose (age 6–18 months) | — | — | 4th dose |
| Influenza | — | — | — | Yearly vaccination (seasonally as appropriate) | Yearly vaccination (seasonally as appropriate) | Yearly vaccination (seasonally as appropriate) |
Yearly vaccination (seasonally as appropriate) |
|
MMR |
— | — | — | — | 1st dose (age 12–15 months) | — | 2nd dose |
| Varicella | — | — | — | — | 1st dose (age 12–15 months) | — |
2nd dose |
| HepA | — | — | — | — | 2 dose series (age 12–24 months) | — |
— |
When does a calendar begin?
The immunisation process of your child will begin when she / he is two months old. If immunisation does not begin at two months, the child might face greater risk within the first two years of her / his life. The immunisation process will continue when the child is 4, 6, 12 and 18 months old. On-time vaccination becomes more important because some immunisations need more than one dose. So always mark your calendar in advance and never miss a shot!
How does a calendar help?
- It enables you to follow a routine schedule which ensures safety of your child
- You will be more empowered to protect your child without wasting any time
- With its advance notification abilities, you can ask someone else for help if you are unavailable
- In case any vaccination is missed, the calendar can be checked and an earliest date can be fixed for vaccination
- It will help you keep a record of the complete immunisation process at one place
A calendar can help you make the right choice and keep your child safe. It can work as the foundation on which your child’s healthy life will stand upon.
If you have not downloaded the Nurturey mobile app (android / iOS) yet, you are missing something in your parenting life. Get it today to safeguard your child and live a hassle-free life. Once you go through the app you will realise that it offers almost everything that you ever wanted to become a great parent. And as soon as you set up the calendar, after filling in the required information of your child, you will see the magic unfold in front of your eyes. Happy parenting to you!