## IAP Birth Dose Immunisation Schedule **Key Point:** The IAP recommends specific vaccines to be administered at birth to provide early protection against serious neonatal and early-life infections. ### Vaccines Administered at Birth (Correct Options) | Vaccine | Route | Timing | Rationale | |---------|-------|--------|----------| | BCG | Intradermal | At birth or as soon as possible | Protection against tuberculosis; must be given before 6 months | | HepB (Birth dose) | Intramuscular | Within 24 hours of birth | Prevents vertical transmission; critical for infants born to HBsAg+ mothers | | OPV Dose 0 | Oral | At birth or within 2 weeks | Provides early immunity; part of polio elimination strategy | ### Pentavalent Vaccine – NOT Given at Birth **High-Yield:** Pentavalent vaccine (DPT + HepB + Hib) is first administered at **6 weeks of age** (Dose 1), not at birth. The primary series consists of three doses at 6, 10, and 14 weeks. **Clinical Pearl:** Pentavalent is contraindicated at birth because: - Maternal antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus would neutralise the vaccine response - Hib conjugate vaccine requires adequate immune maturation - The infant's immune system is not optimally responsive to multiple antigens at birth ### IAP Birth Dose Summary **Mnemonic: BOB** — **B**irth vaccines are **O**nly **B**CG, HepB, and OPV **Warning:** Do not confuse the IAP birth dose schedule with the WHO EPI schedule. IAP includes OPV Dose 0 at birth; some countries defer this.
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