What routine vaccination is

Routine vaccination means the set of vaccines every child should receive at fixed ages, from birth through early childhood. In Afghanistan these vaccines are part of the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and are given free of charge at public health centres. They protect children against serious diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, and some causes of pneumonia and severe diarrhoea.

When vaccines are given

The first vaccines are given at birth or soon after. More doses follow during the first year of life, and further doses in the second year. Each vaccine must be given at the right age and the right number of times to work well. Because the exact schedule can change, ask the vaccinator at your local health centre when your child's next visit is due, and write it down.

Tips for parents

  • Keep your child's vaccination card safe and bring it to every visit and every campaign.
  • If a dose was missed, there is no need to start again: go to the health centre and your child can continue from where they stopped.
  • A mild illness such as a cold is usually not a reason to delay. Tell the vaccinator if your child is unwell and let them decide.
  • Women of childbearing age and pregnant women are also offered tetanus vaccine, which protects both the mother and the newborn.
  • Vaccination campaigns, such as for polio or measles, come in addition to routine vaccines, not instead of them.

After vaccination

Some children have a mild fever, are fussy, or have redness and soreness where the injection was given. This usually passes within a day or two. Keep breastfeeding, give fluids and let the child rest. Do not rub anything on the injection site.

When to see a doctor

See a health worker if the fever lasts more than two days, or if the injection site becomes very swollen or has pus. Go to the nearest hospital immediately if a child has difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, a convulsion, or is very weak or unresponsive after vaccination. These reactions are rare.

If you are not sure which vaccines your child still needs, book a consultation with a doctor in the app or visit a clinic.