Are Your Child’s Vaccinations Up to Date?

By Pediatrics.com

Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical to protect them through immunization. Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized before age two against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunizations help prevent the spread of disease and protect infants and toddlers against dangerous complications.

Immunization is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their children’s health. Today we can protect children from 14 serious diseases. Failure to vaccinate may mean putting children at risk for serious diseases.

Vaccine Descriptions:

  • HepB: protects against hepatitis
  • DTaP: a combined vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Hib: protects against Haemophilus influenzae Type b
  • PCV: protects against pneumococcal disease
  • Polio: protects against polio, the vaccine is also known as IPV
  • RV: protects against infections caused by the Rotavirus
  • Influenza: protects against influenza (flu)
  • MMR: protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles)
  • Varicella: protects against varicella, also known as chickenpox
  • HepA: protects against hepatitis A

NOTE: If your children miss a shot, you don’t need to start over, just go back to your doctor for the next shot. The doctor will help you keep your children up-to-date on his or her vaccinations.

* This is the age range in which this vaccine should be given.

** Influenza is a seasonal vaccine. All children ages 6 months through 18 years should receive vaccination during the influenza season each year. If this is the first time for flu vaccine, a child should receive two doses, separated by at least 4 weeks. If a child only receives one dose in the first season, he or she should receive two doses the next season.

***In addition to seasonal influenza vaccine, children also are recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. Children younger than ten years should receive two doses of this vaccine separated by approximately 1 month.

Source: Centers for Disease Control – http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/infants-toddlers.htm

2 Responses to “Are Your Child’s Vaccinations Up to Date?”

  1. i need help on finding out what shots children need and at what ages they need them. If you could plz get back too me as soon as pospiatle i would greatley appreciate it. Thank you!
    Keyra

    #3