Immunization (vaccination) is a way of building immunity to certain types of disease by administering small amounts of killed or weakened microorganism that causes the particular disease.

Recommended Vaccinations

• HBV - Hepatitis
• PCV - Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
• DTaP or DTP – Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis
• Hib – Haemophilus Influenzae (Meningitis)
• IPV or OPV – Polio
• MMR – Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Varicella – Chickenpox
• MCV4 – Bacterial Meningitis

HBV is given in a series of three injections. The first injection is administered shortly after birth; the second injection is given at one to four months and the third at six to18 months. Infants who receive the HBV series should be protected throughout their childhood and also into the adult years.

PCV protects against Pneumococcal infections, the bacterium is the major cause of serious infections, including pneumonia, blood infections and bacterial meningitis. PCV is given in a series of four injections. The first injection is administered starting at two months of age and following at four months, six months and 12 to 15 months. PCV also is recommended for children between two to five years who are at high risk for serious Pneumococcal infections because they have any of the following.

• Sickle cell anemia
• A damaged spleen or no spleen
• HIV/AIDS
• Cochlear implants
• A disease that affects the immune system such as diabetes or cancer
• Receiving medications that affect the immune system, such as steroids or chemotherapy

DTaP or DTP this vaccine protects against the following.

• Diptheria – a serious infection of the throat that can block the airway and cause severe breathing difficulty
• Tetanus (lockjaw) – a nerve disease, which can occur at any age, caused by toxin-producing bacteria contaminating a wound
• Pertussis (whooping cough) – a respiratory illness with cold symptoms that progress to severe coughing (the “whooping” sound occurs as the child breathes in deeply after a severe coughing bout) serious complications of pertussis can occur in children under one year of age and those children under six months old are especially susceptible.

The DTaP or DTP is administered in a series of five injections. The first injection is started at age 2 months and continues at 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years (before starting school). After the DTaP or DTP series is completed a vaccine called Tdap (the booster shot) should be administered at ages 11 to 12. The Td (tetanus and diptheria) boosters are recommended every 10 years.

Hib-Haemophilus Influenzae type b bacteria was the leading cause of meningitis in children until the Hib vaccine became available. The Hib vaccine is administered at ages two months, four months and six months (however, some of the Hib vaccines do not require a dose at six months). A booster dose is given at 12 to 15 months. Those immunized have protection against meningitis, pneumonia, pericarditis (an infection of the membrane covering the heart) and infections of the blood, bones and joints caused by the bacteria.

IPV-Polio is a viral infection that can result in permanent paralysis. The inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) usually is administered at two months, four months, six to 18 months and four to six years before entering school. Until recently, the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was given in the United States. The updated recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices now call for IPV injections.

Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. The following groups are at a higher risk of flu-related complications and should be receiving the vaccine every year.

• Children to six months to five years of age
• Any child or adult with chronic medical conditions such as 
  - Asthma 
  - Cystic fibrosis 
  - Diabetes 
  - Sickle cell anemia 
  - HIV/AIDS

   

• Anyone age 65 and older
• Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
• Anyone who lives or works with infants under six months old

For children younger than nine who are receiving the flu vaccination for the first time, it is given in two separate injections a month apart. About two weeks after the injection the body will start to build up protection to the flu.

MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). Two doses of injection are administered at age 12 to 15 months and the second one generally is given prior to entering school.

Varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox, which is a common and highly contagious childhood viral illness. The vaccine is administered between ages of 12 to 15 months and followed by a booster shot at four to six years for further protection. Older children who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine also may receive the vaccination.
MCV4 is the meningitis vaccine that protects against meningococcal disease, which is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to bacterial meningitis. The vaccine is recommended for children at age 11 or 12 years, at age 15 years if not previously vaccinated (before entering high school) and for older teens who are entering college and will be living in a dormitory setting.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine—Gardasil, is the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesions and genital warts due to HPV. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for all 11 and 12 year old females. The recommendation allows for vaccination to begin at age nine. The HPV vaccination also is recommended for females aged 13 to 26 who have not been previously vaccinated or who have not completed the full series of shots. The series is three injections over a six-month period. The FDA has licensed the vaccine as safe, effective and with no serious side effects reported. The most common side effect is brief soreness at the injection site.

Together you and your child’s doctor can decide on the best course of action and appropriate vaccinations. If you have any questions or concerns about immunizations, please contact your child’s physician.