VACCINATION SCHEDULES, NORTH AND SOUTH

Wednesday, 14th of December 2011

VACCINATION SCHEDULES, NORTH AND SOUTH

When WHO launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1974, most developing countries targeted six childhood diseases for vaccination. Depending on the region, most GAVI countries now target up to 11 or 12, if pneumococcal, rotavirus and rubella vaccines are included:

The original six targets:

BCG

DPT (diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus)

Polio

Measles

New antigens introduced in GAVI eligible countries since 2001:

Hepatitis B

Haemophilus influenzae b

Pneumococcal vaccine

Rotavirus vaccine

Rubella vaccine (approved for introduction)

Meningitis vaccine (in the meningitis belt)

The US childhood vaccination schedule, at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/0-6yrs-schedule-pr.pdf includes, as well, influenza, chickenpox, mumps, and hepatitis A vaccines. The US does not give BCG as part of the routine immunization schedule.

The developing world is not yet giving the same vaccines as most industrialized countries, but it is moving in that direction.