Immunization is a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives every year. Vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with your body’s natural defences to build protection. When you get a vaccine, your immune system responds.
Immunization is a key component of primary health care and an indisputable human right. It’s also one of the best health investments money can buy. Vaccines are also critical to the prevention and control of infectious-disease outbreaks. They underpin global health security and will be a vital tool in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.
Here is the recommended immunization schedule for citizens and residents in the country.
CHILDREN
ADOLESCENTS
| 13 years | Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) | Booster |
FOR PREVIOUSLY UNIMMUNISED WOMEN AT REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP
| Tetanus diphtheria (Td) | At first contact | Td1 |
| At least 4 weeks after Td1 | Td2 | |
| At least 6 months after Td2 | Td3 | |
| 1 year after Td3 | Td 1st booster | |
| 1 year after Td 1st booster | Td 2nd booster |
ADULT, ELDERLY AND HIGH-RISK GROUPS
| Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) | Single dose for adults ≥ 50 years and single dose for adolescent, adult & elderly from high risk groups. |
| Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPSV23) | Single-dose for ≥ 65 years and for high-risk groups ≥ 2 -64 years. Revaccination dose after 5 years is recommended for certain high-risk groups (Sickle cell disease/other hemoglobinopathies, congenital or acquired asplenia, congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, malignancy, leukemia, lymphoma, iatrogenic immunosuppression, solid organ transplant). |
| Tdap | Single dose might be given to those at risk of infection. |
| Seasonal Influenza | Annually for each season from age of ≥ 6 months. It is recommended for children, adults ≥ 50 years and for high-risk groups. |
| Chickenpox (varicella) | For high risk group without documented infection or vaccination. Two doses, 3 months apart from 1 -12 years of age and as 2 doses 4 weeks apart for ≥ 13 years of age. |
| Meningococcal conjugate ACWY | 1-2 doses for sickle cell disease, certain hemoglobinopathies, congenital or acquired asplenia, pre-splenectomy, terminal complement deficiency, post bone marrow transplant & certain cancer after completion of treatment. Also, it is given to traveler to Holly places, meningitis belt countries and countries reporting outbreaks. |
| Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) | Single dose for >5 years of age having any of the following conditions: sickle cell disease, anatomical and/or surgical asplenia, post bone marrow transplant and certain cancer after completion of treatment. |
HAJIIs
| Meningococcal conjugate (ACWY) | Single dose |
| Seasonal Influenza | Annually for each season |
OTHER VACCINES
| Travelers (according to travel destination) | Yellow Fever | Single dose |
| Typhoid | Single-dose (repeated after 3 years if indicated) | |
| Hepatitis A | 2 doses (if not vaccinated previously) | |
| Meningococcal conjugate ACWY | Single-dose for traveler to certain countries | |
| OPV/IPV | Booster dose for traveler to Polio endemic/ Polio reporting countries | |
| Post exposure prophylaxis | Rabies | 4-5 doses plus RIG (single) |
| Contacts | Hepatitis B | 3 doses |
| Hepatitis A | 2 doses | |
| Immune-compromised & their household contacts | Inactivated Polio(killed polio) | 4-5 doses |