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From 4 years of age, the child needs to take the booster doses of some vaccines, such as polio and the one that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, known as DTP. It is important that parents keep an eye on the vaccination schedule and keep their children's vaccinations up-to-date, in order to avoid diseases that can have serious health consequences and even harm children's physical and mental development.
It is recommended that from 6 months of age, the annual administration of the flu vaccine, also known as the influenza vaccine, is carried out. It is indicated that when administered for the first time in children under 9 years of age, two doses should be made with an interval of 30 days.
Vaccination schedule between 4 and 19 years
The child's vaccination schedule was updated in 2020 by the Ministry of Health, determining the vaccines and boosters to be taken at each age, as shown below:
Four years
- Reinforcement of the Triple Bacterial Vaccine (DTP), which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough: the first three doses of the vaccine must be made in the first months of life, with the vaccine reinforced between 15 and 18 months, and then between 4 and 5 years old. This vaccine is available at Basic Health Units or private clinics, and is known as DTPa. Learn more about the DTPa vaccine.
- Reinforcement of polio: it is administered orally from 15 months and the second reinforcement must be made between 4 and 5 years. The first three doses of the vaccine must be given in the first months of life as an injection, known as VIP. Learn more about the polio vaccine.
5 years
- Strengthening of the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY), which protects against other types of meningitis: it is only available in private clinics and the first doses of the vaccine should be administered at 3 and 5 months. Reinforcement, on the other hand, should be done between 12 and 15 months and then between 5 and 6 years.
In addition to boosting the meningitis vaccine, if your child has not boosted DTP or polio, it is recommended that you do it.
nine years old
- HPV vaccine (girls), which protects against infection by the Human Papilloma Virus, which besides being responsible for HPV, prevents cervical cancer in girls: it must be administered in 3 doses in the 0-2-6 month schedule, in girls.
The HPV vaccine can be administered to people between 9 and 45 years old, it is usually recommended that people up to 15 years old take only 2 doses of the vaccine following the 0-6 schedule, that is, the second dose should be administered after 6 months of administration of the first. Learn more about the HPV vaccine.
The dengue vaccine can also be administered from the age of 9, however it is only recommended for HIV-positive children in three doses.
10 to 19 years
- Meningococcal C (conjugated) vaccine, which prevents meningitis C: a single dose or booster is given, depending on the child's vaccination status;
- HPV vaccine (in boys): must be performed between 11 and 14 years old;
- Hepatitis B vaccine: should be given in 3 doses, if the child is not yet vaccinated;
- Yellow fever vaccine: 1 dose of the vaccine should be given if the child is not yet vaccinated;
- Double Adult (dT), which prevents diphtheria and tetanus: reinforcement must be done every 10 years;
- Triple viral, which prevents measles, mumps and rubella: 2 doses should be taken if the child is not yet vaccinated;
- Reinforcement of the DTPa vaccine: for children who did not have the reinforcement at 9 years
Watch the following video and understand the importance of vaccination for health:
When to go to the doctor after vaccination
After taking vaccines, it is important to watch for signs of reaction to the vaccine, such as red spots and skin irritation, fever above 39ºC, convulsions, coughing and difficulty breathing, however adverse reactions related to the vaccine are uncommon.
However, when they appear, they usually appear about 2 hours after the vaccine is administered, and it is necessary to go to the doctor if the signs of reaction to the vaccine do not pass after 1 week. See how to alleviate the possible adverse effects of vaccines.