Vaccines are administrated to prevent contagious diseases. Vaccines are prepared by killing germs, reducing their lives or by changing their types. A person vaccinated becomes immune to a disease before he/she has it. Preventing diseases is always easier and more secure than curing them.

Vaccines for babies in Turkey are:

Tuberculosis (BCG): Babies that have passed their first two months should be vaccinated. Babies that received Tuberculosis vaccine should not be given bath for 3 days. When a baby is vaccinated for tuberculosis no reaction can be seen at the beginning in the areas that the vaccine is administrated. After 6-8 weeks the vaccinated place in the body reddens and a small pimple can be seen. This will disappear in time but leaves a small scar in the same area. The vaccine should be repeated every 5 years until the child reaches the age of 20.

DBT vaccine: This includes vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. It is administrated in to a muscle during 2nd, 4th, 6th and 18th months and also at the age of 4. At the age of 10 pertussis is taken our from the vaccine and only diphtheria and tetanus is administrated. If diphtheria is to be administrated after 10 years of age the adult type is used. The vaccine should be repeated every 10 years. The areas where the vaccine is given can redden and swell. This will turn to normal in time. Children that had fever due to vaccination will not receive pertussis again.

Polio vaccine: This vaccination is given orally during the same period of DBT. It is an alive vaccine. In some special conditions dead vaccines can also be used. If vomited the vaccine is given again.

Rubeola, Rubella, Parotitis vaccines: Because in Turkey rubeola still is one of the caused of death it is still given during the 9th month. It is repeated during the 15th month. 15. During the 15th month Rubeola, Rubella, Parotitis vaccines are repeated in a combined vaccine. Rubella can cause disabilities to the baby if happens during pregnancy therefore it is very important to make sure that every fertile women has received the vaccine. Rubeola, Rubella, Parotitis vaccines are repeated at the age of 11.

Hepatitis B vaccine: In Turkey carriers of Hepatitis B account for 10 % of the population. It can be infected via blood, blood products and secretion. Persons that have hepatitis B may suffer from cirrhosis and liver inadequacy. For these reasons babies should be vaccinated 3 times; right after birth, at 1st and 6th months. In case the mother is a carrier the child should be given Hepatitis B immunoglobulin in addition to the vaccine.

Hepatitis A vaccine: Hepatitis A is an orally transmitted infection. Increasing hygiene can reduce the frequency of hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is more destructive on adults. The vaccine should be given for 2 times at the 6th and 12th months.

Homophiles Influenza B vaccine: This vaccine which is also know as meningitis vaccine gives immunity to children especially between 3 months and 5 years of age against homophiles influenza B virus that may cause meningitis, throat, ear, nose and eye infections. Can be given together with DBT and polio vaccines during 2nd, 4th and 6th months. It is repeated during the 18th month. Children that have not received the vaccine during the first year are given the vaccine for once after the 12th month. If it is given after the 6th month 2 doses will be given until the age of 1 and a 3rd dose will be given 1 year later.

Influenza vaccine: This vaccine which is suggested to be given in autumn to children in kindergartens, children that have heart diseases, children that frequently have lung infections or asthma patients.

Chicken pox vaccine: It is an alive vaccine and increases the immunity very good. It is suggested to have the vaccine after 1 year. Should not be given to children in risk groups.

VACCINATION TABLE