ABSTRACT
Justification: There is a need to revise/review recommendations regarding existing vaccines in view of current developments invaccinology. Process: Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)reviewed the new evidence, had two meetings, and representatives of few vaccine manufacturers also presented their data. Therecommendations were finalized unanimously. Objectives: To revise and review the IAP recommendations for 2018-19 and issuerecommendations on existing and certain new vaccines. Recommendations. The major changes in the IAP 2018-19 ImmunizationTimetable include administration of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of age, acceptance of four doses of hepatitis B vaccine if acombination pentavalent or hexavalent vaccine is used, administration of DTwP or DTaP in the primary series, and complete replacementof oral polio vaccine (OPV) by injectable polio vaccine (IPV) as early as possible. In case IPV is not available or feasible, the child shouldbe offered three doses of bivalent OPV. In such cases, the child should be advised to receive two fractional doses of IPV at aGovernment facility at 6 and 14 weeks or at least one dose of intramuscular IPV, either standalone or as a combination, at 14 weeks. Thefirst dose of monovalent Rotavirus vaccine (RV1) can be administered at 6 weeks and the second at 10 weeks of age in a two-doseschedule. Any of the available rotavirus vaccine may be administered. Inactivated influenza vaccine (either trivalent or quadrivalent) isrecommended annually to all children between 6 months to 5 years of age. Measles-containing vaccine (MMR/MR) should beadministered after 9 months of age. Additional dose of MR vaccine may be administered during MR campaign for children 9 months to 15years, irrespective of previous vaccination status. Single dose of Typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) is recommended from the age of 6months and beyond, and can be administered with MMR vaccine if administered at 9 months. Four-dose schedule of anti-rabies vaccinefor Post Exposure Prophylaxis as recommended by World Health Organization in 2018, is endorsed, and monoclonal rabies antibody canbe administered as an alternative to Rabies immunoglobulin for post-exposure prophylaxis.