Routine Immunization Schedule for Infants

The standard routine immunization schedule for infants in the Philippines is adopted to provide maximum
immunity against the seven vaccine preventable diseases in the country before the child's first birthday.
The fully immunized child must have completed BCG 1, DPT 1, DPT 2, DPT 3, OPV 1, OPV 2, OPV 3,
HB 1, HB 2, HB 3 and measles vaccines before the child is 12 months of age[2].
Minimum Minimum
Number
Age Interval
Vaccine of Dose Route Site Reason
at 1st Between
Doses
Dose Doses
BCG given at earliest
Right possible age protects the
Bacillus Birth or
0.05 deltoid possibility of TB
Calmette- anytime 1 -- Intradermal
mL region of meningitis and other TB
Guérin after birth
the arm infections in which
infants are prone[3]
Diphtheria- Upper
An early start with DPT
Pertussis- 0.5 outer
6 weeks 3 4 weeks Intramuscular reduces the chance of
Tetanus mL portion of
severe pertussis[4].
Vaccine the thigh
The extent of protection
against polio is
Oral Polio 2-3 increased the earlier the
6 weeks 3 4 weeks Oral Mouth
Vaccine drops OPV is given.
Keeps the Philippines
polio-free[5].
An early start of Hepatitis
B vaccine reduces the
chance of being infected
and becoming a
6 weeks
carrier[6].
interval from
Prevents liver cirrhosis
1st dose to Upper
and liver cancer which
Hepatitis B 0.5 2nd dose, outer
At birth 3 Intramuscular are more likely to
Vaccine mL 8 weeks portion of
develop if infected with
interval from the thigh
Hepatitis B early in
2nd dose to
life[7] [8].
third dose.
About 9,000 die of
complications of Hepatits
B. 10% of Filipinos have
Hepatitis B infection[9]
At least 85% of measles
Measles Upper
can be prevented by
Vaccine 0.5 outer
9 months 1 -- Subcutaneous immunization at this
mL portion of
(not MMR) age[10].
the arms

Children need not die young if they receive complete and timely immunization. Children who are not fully
immunized are more susceptible to common childhood diseases. The Expanded Program on
Immunization is one of the DOH Programs that has already been institutionalized and adopted by all
LGUs in the region. Its objective is to reduce infant mortality and morbidity through decreasing the
prevalence of six (6) immunizable diseases (TB, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio and measles)
Special campaigns have been undertaken to improve further program implementation, notably
the National Immunization Days (NID), Knock Out Polio (KOP) and Garantisadong Pambata (GP) since
1993 to 2000. This is being supported by increasing/sustaining the routine immunization and improved
surveillance system.

Expended program for Immunization (EPI) 2. Diptheria

• Principles of EPI include: 3. Pertussis
1. Epidemiological situation 4. Measles
2. Mass approach 5. Poliomyelitis
3. Basic Health Service 6. Tetanus
• The 7 immunizable diseases are: 7. Hepatitis B
1. Tuberculosis
Administration of vaccines:

Vaccine Content Form & Dosage # of Doses Route

BCG Live attenuated Freeze dried infant- 1 ID

bacteria 0.05ml
Preschool-0.1ml

DPT DT- weakened liquid-0.5ml 3 IM

toxin
P-killed bacteria

OPV weakened virus liquid-2drops 3 Oral

Hepa B Plasma derivative Liquid-0.5ml 3 IM

Measles Weakened virus Freeze dried- 0.5ml 1 Subcutaneous

Schedule of Vaccines:

Vaccine Age at 1st dose Interval between dose Protection

BCG At birth

DPT 6 weeks 4 weeks DPT

OPV 6weeks 4weeks Poliomyelitis

Hepa B @ birth @birth,6th week,14th HepaB

week

Measles 9m0s.-11m0s. measles

6 months – earliest dose of measles given in case of outbreak

9months-11months- regular schedule of measles vaccine
15 months- latest dose of measles given
4-5 years old- catch up dose
Fully Immunized Child (FIC)- less than 12 months old child with complete immunizations of DPT, OPV,
BCG, Anti Hepatitis, Anti measles.

Vaccine Minimum age interval % protected Duration of Protection

TT1 As early as possible 0% 0

TT2 4 weeks later 80% 3 years

TT3 6 months later 95% 5 years

TT4 1year later/during next 99% 10 years

 pregnany

TT5 1 year later/third 99% Lifetime

pregnancy

• There is no contraindication to immunization except when the child is immunosuppressed or is

very, very ill (but not slight fever or cold). Or if the child experienced convulsions after a DPT or
measles vaccine, report such to the doctor immediately.
• Malnutrition is not a contraindication for immunizing children rather, it is an indication for
immunization since common childhood diseases are often severe to malnourished children.