Table 1 National immunization schedule in Sri Lanka at the time of the study

Preferably within 24 hours of birth

BCG

Vaccination may be given before leaving the hospital or during the first contact with the health services

If the scar is not present, child may be re-vaccinated after 6 months, up to 5 years of age

On completion of two months

Pentavalent vaccine (DTP- Hepatitis B-Hib ) 1^st dose and Oral Polio Vaccine 1^st dose

On completion of four months

Pentavalent vaccine ( DTP- Hepatitis B-Hib ) 2^nd dose and Oral Polio Vaccine 2^nd dose

On completion of six months

Pentavalent vaccine ( DTP- Hepatitis B-Hib ) 3^rd dose and Oral Polio Vaccine 3^rd dose

On completion of 9 months

Measles containing vaccine 1^st dose in the form of Measles vaccine ***

On completion of one year

Live attenuated Japanese Encephalitis vaccine - SA 14-14-2 +++

A single dose is administered

On completion of 18 months

DTP 4^th dose and Oral Polio vaccine 4^th dose

DTP 4^th dose is given in the form of the triple vaccine instead of the pentavalent vaccine

On completion of 3 years

Measles containing vaccine 2^nd dose in the form of Measles-Rubella (MR)vaccine ***

On completion of five years

DT and Oral Polio vaccine 5^th dose

Given at the school entry

At 12 years

aTd ( adult Tetanus diphtheria)

Given in the school immunization programme

1^st pregnancy

Tetanus Toxoid -1^st dose

First dose after 12 weeks of pregnancy and the second dose 6–8 weeks after the first dose

Tetanus Toxoid – 2^nd dose

2^nd pregnancy

Tetatnus Toxoid -3^rd dose

After 12 weeks of pregnancy

3^rd pregnancy

Tetanus Toxoid -4^th dose

After 12 weeks of pregnancy

4^th pregnancy

Tetanus Toxoid -5^th dose

After 12 weeks of pregnancy

1^st pregnancy

Teatnus Toxoid – a booster dose

A booster dose is given if a written evidence of immunization with Tetanus Toxoid containing vaccines according to the National Immunization Schedule is available

Other pregnancies

Tetanus Toxoid –booster dose

If there is a gap of 10 years and more since the last administration of Tetanus Toxoid containing vaccines , a booster is given

***

In the current schedule adopted on 01.10.2011, Measles containing vaccine 1^st and 2^nd doses have been replaced by Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) combined vaccine.

+++

In the current schedule Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is administered on completion of 9 months of life while MMR -1^st dose is given on completion of one year of life.