Immunizations
The dreaded immunizations - I always and still hate it when the baby has to get shots. I know in recent years there has been a lot of talk about whether or not to get your child vaccinated. People have their strong beliefs to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. We are not here to tell you one way is better than the other. I know in certain countries, you don’t have the choice not to vaccinate.
Vaccines are a way of promoting your child's health. Getting the child immunized can save him/her from serious illnesses and could save his/her life. In the US there are a lot of places that require your child to be vaccinated (sports groups, certain schools & even certain doctors). Below is a schedule of when vaccinations are generally given in the US.(note some pediatricians may give some vaccines at a different point in time). Also, some parents may decide to delay some of these vaccines. Please check with your doctor to figure out the best plan of action.
Birth - Hepatitis B, Vitamin K
2 Weeks - Hepatitis B (if not given at the hospital)
2 Months - Hepatitis B, DTaP, Pneumococcal, Hib, Polio, Rotavirus
4 Months - DTaP, Pneumococcal, Hib, Polio, Rotavirus
6 Months - DTaP, Pneumococcal, Hib, Polio, Rotavirus
9 Months - Hepatitis B
12 Months - MMR, Hepatitis A, Varicella
15 Months - Pneumococcal, Hib
18 Months - DTaP, Hepatitis A
24 Months - any vaccine previously missed
4 - 5 Years - DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella
11 - 12 Years - DTaP, HPV series, Meningococcal
16 - 18 Years - Meningococcal
*The flu shot should be given ever year beginning at 6 Months.
After each shot your child may experience some symptoms. The most common symptom is a fever that may last from 1 - 3 days. Your pediatrician should go over the symptoms prior to you leaving the office. If your pediatrician does not, then please ask. If your child gets a high fever please call your doctor.
Vaccines are a way of promoting your child's health. Getting the child immunized can save him/her from serious illnesses and could save his/her life. In the US there are a lot of places that require your child to be vaccinated (sports groups, certain schools & even certain doctors). Below is a schedule of when vaccinations are generally given in the US.(note some pediatricians may give some vaccines at a different point in time). Also, some parents may decide to delay some of these vaccines. Please check with your doctor to figure out the best plan of action.
Birth - Hepatitis B, Vitamin K
2 Weeks - Hepatitis B (if not given at the hospital)
2 Months - Hepatitis B, DTaP, Pneumococcal, Hib, Polio, Rotavirus
4 Months - DTaP, Pneumococcal, Hib, Polio, Rotavirus
6 Months - DTaP, Pneumococcal, Hib, Polio, Rotavirus
9 Months - Hepatitis B
12 Months - MMR, Hepatitis A, Varicella
15 Months - Pneumococcal, Hib
18 Months - DTaP, Hepatitis A
24 Months - any vaccine previously missed
4 - 5 Years - DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella
11 - 12 Years - DTaP, HPV series, Meningococcal
16 - 18 Years - Meningococcal
*The flu shot should be given ever year beginning at 6 Months.
After each shot your child may experience some symptoms. The most common symptom is a fever that may last from 1 - 3 days. Your pediatrician should go over the symptoms prior to you leaving the office. If your pediatrician does not, then please ask. If your child gets a high fever please call your doctor.
Immunization Overview
Hepatitis B - (3 Doses) The Hepatitis B vaccine protects your baby against the Hepatitis B virus. The virus can lead to liver damage/death. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants be routinely immunized against Hep B starting at birth.
DTaP Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis Vaccine - (5 Shots Total) This shot will protect your baby from 3 diseases .
Pneumococcal PCV - (4 Shots Total) This shot protects against Pneumococcal diseases caused by the Pneumococcal bacteria. This can lead to meningitis and pneumonia within days of getting the infection.
Hib Haemophilus influenza Type B Vaccine - (4 Shots Total) This shot protects your baby from the Haemophilus Bacteria, which can lead to severe swelling in the throat. This will make it hard for your baby to breath and can lead to pneumonia and bacterial meningitis.
Polio Vaccine - (4 Shots Total) This shot protects your baby from the Poliovirus. This virus can lead to paralysis and death.
Rotavirus - (3 Doses) This vaccine protects your baby from the Rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea that can lead to death. This vaccine is an oral vaccine. It's important to note that this vaccine can cause your baby to have some diarrhea - when changing the baby make sure you clean your hands properly.
MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine - (2 Shots Total) This shot protects your baby from 3 viruses
Hepatitis A - (2 Doses) This shot protects your baby from the Hepatitis A virus. This virus causes liver diseases. The two doses should be given 6 months apart.
Varicella Chicken Pox Vaccine - (2 Shots) This shot protects your baby from chicken pox. This can lead to itchy, painful blisters with a fever. About 10% of vaccinated children may still get chicken pox, however their symptoms will be milder.
Meningococcal Vaccine - This shot protects your baby from bacterial meningitis. This can lead to membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord and cause them to become inflamed.
HPV Human Papillomavirus - (2 Shots) This protects your child from the HPV virus that can lead to cancers and other diseases. The shots should be given 6 months apart.
Influenza - (yearly starting at 6 Months) The shot protects your baby from the flu.
DTaP Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis Vaccine - (5 Shots Total) This shot will protect your baby from 3 diseases .
- Diphtheria - a bacterial infraction that causes a thick coating in the back of the throat
- Tetanus "lockjaw" - a bacterial infection that causes sever and painful muscle spasms, seizures, and paralysis
- Pertussis "whooping cough" - a bacterial infection that causes coughing spells that are so severe it's hard for babies to eat, drink or breath for weeks. This is the most contagious disease known to humans.
Pneumococcal PCV - (4 Shots Total) This shot protects against Pneumococcal diseases caused by the Pneumococcal bacteria. This can lead to meningitis and pneumonia within days of getting the infection.
Hib Haemophilus influenza Type B Vaccine - (4 Shots Total) This shot protects your baby from the Haemophilus Bacteria, which can lead to severe swelling in the throat. This will make it hard for your baby to breath and can lead to pneumonia and bacterial meningitis.
Polio Vaccine - (4 Shots Total) This shot protects your baby from the Poliovirus. This virus can lead to paralysis and death.
Rotavirus - (3 Doses) This vaccine protects your baby from the Rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea that can lead to death. This vaccine is an oral vaccine. It's important to note that this vaccine can cause your baby to have some diarrhea - when changing the baby make sure you clean your hands properly.
MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine - (2 Shots Total) This shot protects your baby from 3 viruses
- Measles - a highly contagious virus that can lead to a high fever and an uncomfortable rash
- Mumps - a viral infection that causes a mild fever and a swollen jaw
- Rubella "German Measles" - this is a virus that causes a pinkish red rash, mild fever, and swollen lymph nodes
Hepatitis A - (2 Doses) This shot protects your baby from the Hepatitis A virus. This virus causes liver diseases. The two doses should be given 6 months apart.
Varicella Chicken Pox Vaccine - (2 Shots) This shot protects your baby from chicken pox. This can lead to itchy, painful blisters with a fever. About 10% of vaccinated children may still get chicken pox, however their symptoms will be milder.
Meningococcal Vaccine - This shot protects your baby from bacterial meningitis. This can lead to membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord and cause them to become inflamed.
HPV Human Papillomavirus - (2 Shots) This protects your child from the HPV virus that can lead to cancers and other diseases. The shots should be given 6 months apart.
Influenza - (yearly starting at 6 Months) The shot protects your baby from the flu.
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