Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunization aims to protect children from birth to 15 months against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, including tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, pneumonia, meningitis, rotavirus diarrhoea, typhoid, measles and rubella.
Parents looking for the best child specialist in Lahore should choose a qualified doctor who can review the child’s vaccination card, identify missed doses and prepare a safe catch-up plan when necessary.
Routine Vaccination Schedule in Pakistan
The following schedule summarises Pakistan’s national childhood immunization programme. Parents should take the vaccination card to every appointment because recommendations may be updated and individual children may require a modified schedule.
At Birth
A newborn should receive:
- BCG vaccine for protection against severe childhood tuberculosis
- OPV-0 as the birth dose of oral polio vaccine
- Hepatitis B birth dose
These vaccines should ideally be administered as early as possible after delivery.
At 6 Weeks
The first major infant vaccination visit includes:
- OPV-1 for polio
- Rotavirus-1 for severe rotavirus diarrhoea
- PCV-1 for pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis
- Pentavalent-1, protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B
Pentavalent vaccines combine protection against several illnesses in one injection, reducing the number of separate injections a baby needs.
At 10 Weeks
The child receives the second doses of:
- OPV-2
- Rotavirus-2
- PCV-2
- Pentavalent-2
These follow-up doses are necessary because one dose may not create enough lasting protection.
At 14 Weeks
The scheduled vaccines include:
- OPV-3
- IPV-1, the injectable polio vaccine
- PCV-3
- Pentavalent-3
The pentavalent, pneumococcal and oral polio series administered at 6, 10 and 14 weeks provides protection during a period when infants are highly vulnerable to infection.
At 9 Months
At nine months, children should receive:
- TCV, the typhoid conjugate vaccine
- MR-1, the first measles and rubella vaccine
- IPV-2, the second injectable polio dose
Typhoid conjugate vaccine has been included in Punjab’s routine immunization programme for eligible children.
At 15 Months
The child receives MR-2, the second measles and rubella vaccine. Two scheduled doses are important because some children may not develop adequate protection after the first dose.
At 4–5 Years in Punjab
Pakistan’s National Immunization Policy lists a DPT booster for children aged four to five years in Punjab. This booster strengthens protection against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. Parents should confirm its timing with their child’s doctor or vaccination centre.
What Happens If a Vaccination Is Missed?
A missed appointment does not usually mean that the entire vaccination series must be restarted. Parents should take the child’s vaccination record to a paediatrician or EPI centre so that the remaining doses can be arranged through a catch-up schedule. Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Immunization advises that it is never too late to begin or resume missed childhood vaccinations.
Do not delay the next dose simply because the previous dose was late. The doctor will consider the child’s age, previously administered vaccines and the minimum safe interval between doses.
Common Reactions After Vaccination
Children may experience temporary pain, redness or mild swelling around the injection site. Mild fever, sleepiness, irritability or reduced appetite may also occur. These reactions usually settle within a short period.
Seek urgent medical assistance if the child develops difficulty breathing, facial swelling, persistent convulsions, extreme weakness, unconsciousness or another severe reaction. Parents should not give antibiotics, aspirin or repeated fever medicine without advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Consult a Child Specialist
The routine government schedule provides essential protection, but some children may need additional vaccines or a personalised plan because of premature birth, chronic illness, travel, school requirements or previously missed doses. A consultation with the best child specialist in Lahore can help parents understand which vaccines are due and whether any additional protection is appropriate.
Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Khan, MBBS, FCPS — Child Specialist
Phone: 0311 6712017
Address: 7, Block M Phase 2 Johar Town, Lahore, Punjab 54000
Location: View on Google Maps
Final Thoughts
Keeping vaccinations on time protects both the individual child and the wider community. Store the vaccination card safely, attend every scheduled visit and consult a qualified child specialist whenever a dose is missed or the child has a medical condition.
