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A brief overview of the catch-up immunization schedule for children

For all those who have missed out or delayed in vaccinating their children at the right time, the catch-up child vaccine schedule by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the necessary details. This schedule is specifically meant to vaccinate at minimum intervals between doses for the children who were not vaccinated at the right time.

This schedule is designed for children from 4 months to 18 years of age which includes both exemptions and the catch-up routine ones.

A brief overview of the catch-up immunization schedule for children
Essentially, this schedule by CDC is required to vaccinate children who have got a few doses but have fallen behind to catch up with some. In this case, a combination vaccine is also given under the guidance of a doctor.

Let us take a brief glimpse at the catch-up child vaccine schedule by CDC for the age groups between 4 months to 6 years whose vaccinations were delayed. The following pointers state the minimum time interval that should be maintained between the doses:

  • Hepatitis B1:  The minimum interval that should be maintained for dose 1 to 2 for Hepatitis B1 is 4 weeks, while for dose 2 to 3, it should be at 16 weeks after the first dose. The minimum age for the final dose is 24 weeks.
  • Rotavirus: Dose 1 to 2 should be taken when the child is at 14 weeks. The final dose in the series should be taken at 8 months.
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis: The intervals maintained for dose 1 to 2 and dose 2 to 3 should be 4 weeks. Dose 3 to 4 should be taken at an interval of 6 months.
  • Haemophilus influenza type B4:  A minimum interval of 4 weeks should be there for dose 1 to 2 if given before 1st birthday. The interval maintained for dose 2 to 3 is 4 weeks if the first dose was given before the age of 7 months. Dose 3 to 4 should be taken after an 8-week interval.
  • Pneumococcal: The interval maintained for the dosage is the same as Haemophilus influenza type B4.
  • Inactivated poliovirus: Dose 1 to 2 and dose 2 to 3 should have an interval of 4 weeks. Dose 3 to 4, however, should have an interval of 6 months.
  • MMR, Varicella9, Hepatitis A 10: Dose 1 to 2 should have a minimum interval of 4 weeks.
  • Meningococcal:  The time interval for dose 1 to 2 is 8 weeks

Considering the importance of vaccination, the catch-up child vaccine schedule chart is a perfect go. To keep it straight and simple, the first dose can be given at any time if missed, while the second dose can be given at least after a month.

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