9.2 CHECK THE CHILD’S PROPHYLACTIC VITAMIN Ab bSUPPLEMENTATION STATUS Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient and is necessary for vision, integrity of membrane structures, the normal functioning of body cells, growth and development. A child with vitamin A deficiency is at a risk of death from measles and diarhoea. The child is also at risk of blindness. The National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme recommends 9 doses of vitamin A at 9, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54 and 60 months of age. Look at the ASSESS & CLASSIFY chart and locate the recommended schedule for vitamin A supplementation. Give the recommended dose of vitamin A when the child is the appropriate age for each dose. In case a child more than 9 months of age has not received a dose of vitamin A in last 6 months, give a dose as per the dosage schedule according to age of the child. THEN CHECK THE CHILD’S IMMUNIZATION STATUS IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE AGE Birth 6 weeks 10 weeks 14 weeks 9 months 16-18 months 60 months VACCINE BCGG + OPV-0 DPT+ OPV-1(+ HepB-1*) DPT+ OPV-2(+ HepB-2*) DPT+ OPV-3(+ HepB-3*) Measles DPT Booster + OPV DT Give a single dose of vitamin A : PROPHYLACTIC 100,000 IU at 9 months with measles immunization VITAMIN A 200,000 IU at 16-18 months with DPT Booster 200,000 IU at 24 months, 30 months, 36 months, 42 months, 48 months, 54 months and 60 months.
