Additional Vaccines - not in government schedule

1. ROTAVIRUS

Rotavirus causes severe diarrhoea among infants and young children. it is contagious too. so it should be administrated to babies, especially in countries like India. GSK has developed a vaccine called Rotarix . 2 doses of oral Rotarix should be given within 4 months of age. Each dose of vaccine costs about INR 1000.

2. PCV:

The only pneumoccocal conjugate vaccine availbale in India is from Wyeth. It is called Prevenar. Though this vaccine is not there in government schedule, it is wise to administer it as it protects the child from meningitis, bacteril pneumonia, septicaemia and bacteria in blood (bacteraemia). Each dose costs close to INR 4000 currently. since this is expensive, most peadiatrecians give it after 8 months of age, after completing the essential vaccines in the government/IAP schedule.

recommended dosage is :
3 doses at least 1 month apart if the 1st dose is given at 6-8 wk of age. a booster can be given at 2 years.
If the 1st dose is given between age 7-11 months, 2 doses should be given with 2 months gap and a booster at 2 years age.
if the child is not given PCV, then 1 dose of PCV can be given after 2 years.