Health Ministry issues new guidance on child vaccinations

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KUWAIT CITY, April 2: Dr. Ahmed Abdel Wahab Al-Awadhi, Minister of Health, has issued a ministerial decision to update the schedule of basic vaccinations for children, aligning with recommendations from the National Committee for the General Immunization Plan. This move aims to keep pace with best practices and scientific recommendations, demonstrating the Ministry of Health’s commitment to safeguarding children’s health.

The updated vaccination schedule includes several key changes. Children will now receive the Hexavalent vaccine instead of the Pentavalent vaccine at the ages of 2, 4, 6, and 18 months. Additionally, children will be vaccinated with the MMRV vaccine at two years of age, replacing the second dose of the MMR and Varicella vaccines.

Furthermore, pregnant women will receive the Tdap vaccine instead of the Tetanus Toxoid vaccine, and the Tdap vaccine will be administered to school-aged children at 10-12 years and 16-18 years instead of the Td vaccine. The DTaP vaccine will replace the DPT vaccine at the age of three and a half years.

Other updates include the removal of the booster dose from the OPV vaccine at the age of three and a half years, as well as the elimination of the booster dose from the MMR vaccine for girls in schools from the age of 10-12 years.

The decision mandates the Public Health Department to circulate technical instructions for the use of the updated vaccines and provide necessary training to vaccination site workers. The Medical Warehouses Department will ensure the availability of vaccines, while the Ministry’s Financial Affairs Sector will coordinate funds for the implementation of the updated schedule.

Moreover, the decision outlines the complete updated schedule for childhood vaccinations, slated to commence in January 2025. This comprehensive approach underscores the Ministry’s commitment to promoting public health and ensuring the well-being of children across the nation.

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