KEPI Vaccine Immunization Schedule

Vaccination is one of the most crucial steps parents can take to protect their children from life-threatening diseases. In this comprehensive KEPI Vaccine Immunization Schedule provided by the Ministry of Health in Kenya, we will explore the key vaccines given at different stages of your child’s early life, as recommended by the KEPI (Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunization) and Baby Friendly Vaccine Schedules. From birth to age 10, here’s everything you need to know about keeping your little one safe and healthy.

KEPI Vaccine Immunization Schedule by Age

Vaccines Given at Birth

1. BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.05ml injection under the skin (intra-dermal) of the left forearm.
   • Purpose: Protects against Tuberculosis (TB), a dangerous bacterial infection that affects the lungs.
2. Polio Vaccine
   • Administration: 2 drops given orally.
   • Purpose: Protects against poliomyelitis (polio), a viral disease that can cause paralysis in children

Vaccines Given at 6 Weeks

1. Polio Vaccine
   • Administration: 2 oral drops.
   • Purpose: Continues to protect against polio.
2. Pentavalent Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.5ml injection intramuscularly in the left outer thigh.
   • Purpose: Combines five vaccines in one shot, protecting against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (a cause of pneumonia and meningitis).
   • Side Effects: Fever, pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site, irritability.
   • Adverse Effects: Injection site abscess.
3. Pneumococcal Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.5ml injection intramuscularly in the right outer thigh.
   • Purpose: Helps prevent pneumonia, a severe lung infection.
4. Rotavirus Vaccine
   • Administration: 1.5ml administered orally.
   • Purpose: Protects against rotavirus infection, a leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children.

Vaccines Given at 10 Weeks

1. Polio Vaccine
   • Administration: 2 oral drops.
   • Purpose: Continues to protect against polio.
2. Pentavalent Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.5ml injection in the left outer thigh.
   • Purpose: Protects against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B.
3. Pneumococcal Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.5ml injection in the right outer thigh.
   • Purpose: Prevents pneumonia.
4. Rotavirus Vaccine
   • Administration: 1.5ml administered orally.
   • Purpose: Continues to protect against severe rotavirus-induced diarrhoea.

Vaccines Given at 14 Weeks

1. Polio Vaccine
   • Administration: 2 oral drops.
   • Purpose: Continues to protect against polio.
2. Pentavalent Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.5ml injection in the left outer thigh.
   • Purpose: Combines protection against five dangerous diseases.
3. Pneumococcal Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.5ml injection in the right outer thigh.
   • Purpose: Continues protection against pneumonia.
4. Rotavirus Vaccine – 3rd Dose
   • Administration: 1.5ml administered orally.
   • Purpose: Continues to protect against severe rotavirus-induced diarrhoea.

Vaccines Given at 6 Months

1. Vitamin A
   • Administration: Given orally (100,000 IU).
   • Purpose: Helps prevent Vitamin A deficiency.

Vaccines Given at 7 Months

1. Flu Vaccine
   • Purpose: Prevents flu.

Vaccines Given at 9 Months

1. 1st Dose of Measles-Rubella Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.5ml subcutaneous injection in the right upper arm.
   • Purpose: Continues to protect against measles and rubella.

Vaccines Given at 10 Months

1. Meningococcal ACYW Conjugate Vaccine
   • Purpose: Prevents meningococcal disease caused by strains A, C, Y, and W.

Vaccines Given at 12 Months

1. Vitamin A Supplementation
   • Administration: 200,000 IU orally.
   • Purpose: Helps boost immunity and vision health.
2. Deworming with Albendazole
   • Administration: 200mg orally.
   • Purpose: Protects against parasitic worm infections.
3. Hepatitis A Vaccine
   • Purpose: Prevents Hepatitis A.
4. Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
   • Purpose: Prevents chickenpox.

Vaccines Given at 15 Months

1. Meningococcal Vaccine
   • Purpose: Prevents Meningococcal Disease
2. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
   • Purpose: Prevents measles, mumps, and rubella.

Vaccines Given at 18 Months

1. 2nd Dose of Measles-Rubella Vaccine
   • Administration: 0.5ml subcutaneous injection in the right upper arm.
   • Purpose: Boosts immunity against measles and rubella.
2. Vitamin A Supplementation
   • Administration: 200,000 IU orally.
   • Purpose: Continues to boost immunity and vision health.
3. Deworming with Albendazole
   • Administration: 200mg orally.
   • Purpose: Prevents worm infections.
4. Hexaxim/Infanrix Booster
   • Prevents: Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus Influenza.
5. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
   • Prevents: Measles, mumps, and rubella.

Vaccines Given at 2 Years

1. Typhoid Vaccine
   • Prevents: Typhoid fever.
2. Flu Vaccine
   • Prevents: Flu.
3. Deworming
   • Prevents: Intestinal worms.
4. Vitamin A
   • Dose: 200,000 IU administered orally.
   • Prevents: Vitamin A deficiency.

Annually –  On request at a cost

1. Flu Vaccine
   • Prevents: Flu.

Revaccination

1. Typhoid Vaccine – Every 3 years.
   • Prevents: Typhoid fever.
2. Meningococcal Vaccine
   • Prevents: Meningococcal disease.
3. Hepatitis A
   • Prevents: Hepatitis A
4. Verorab/Antirabies Vaccine
   • Pre exposure(before bite) vaccine
   • Prevents: Rabies

Conclusion

Staying up-to-date with your child’s vaccination schedule is essential for building a strong foundation of health and immunity. By ensuring your child receives all necessary vaccines from birth through childhood, you can help protect them from serious, life-threatening diseases. This KEPI Vaccine Immunization Schedule from Limuru Cottage Hospital is a recommended guide to help you achieve that goal.

Even as you use the KEPI Vaccine Immunization Schedule, make sure to consult your healthcare provider for a personalized vaccination schedule and stick to the timelines to keep your child protected!