20. Immunisation schedule

The WHO in the year \(1970\) has given a schedule of immunisation for children. This schedule is carried out in almost all countries. The immunisation schedule indicates the age at which the vaccine should be administered to protect the children from infectious diseases.

BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin): This was prepared by two French workers Calmette and Guerin (\(1908-1921\)). It was developed for over thirteen years. The bacilli are weakened and used for immunisation against tuberculosis.

 

DPT (Triple Vaccine): It is a combined vaccine for protection against Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough) and Tetanus.

 

MMR: Mumps, Measles, Rubella vaccine gives protection against viral infections.

 

DT: It is a dual antigen or combined antigen. It gives protection from Diphtheria and Tetanus.

 

TT (Tetanus Toxoid): Toxin of Tetanus bacteria.

 

TAB: Combined vaccine for typhoid, Para typhi A and Para typhi B.

 

Louis Pasteur was an 18th-century French chemist and microbiologist best known for vaccination and pasteurisation. He coined the term vaccine. Pasteur developed a vaccine against chickenpox, cholera, anthrax, etc. In 1885 Pasteur administered his first vaccine to a young boy named Joseph Meister, repeatedly bitten by rabid dog. The boy was inoculated with less virulent or weakened rabies virus preparations and was saved. He discovered the basis for attenuation, the process of weakening the virulence of pathogenic organisms without losing the capacity to induce immunity.