Important Vaccines for your Child
Childhood immunizations aid in protecting children and their vulnerable immune systems from serious diseases. Assuring that children receive all of their necessary immunizations is one of the most important ways parents can aid in keeping their little ones healthy.
The following is a list of vaccines recommended for children:
- Influenza Vaccine: The influenza vaccine, also known as the flu vaccine, helps reduce the risk of children being severely affected by flu complications, especially for children under five years of age. The influenza vaccine should be administered:
Yearly, for children six months and older.
The CDC recommends that children receive their influenza vaccine by the end of October before flu season reaches its peak.
- Chickenpox(Varicella) Vaccine: The varicella vaccine helps prevent chickenpox, an itchy rash that typically lasts around one week. Fever, loss of appetite, headache, and fatigue are all symptoms attributed to chickenpox. The timeline for the chickenpox vaccine is:
First dose – 12 to 15 months of age.
Second dose – 4 to 6 years of age.
- Rotavirus Vaccine: Rotavirus is a virus that can cause symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and even lead to dehydration. The Rotavirus vaccineis administered by putting a few droplets in the child’s mouth. Babies should receive two or three doses of the rotavirus vaccine, depending on the brand. The timeline for when the vaccine should be administered is as follows:
First dose – Before 15 weeks of age.
Second (last) dose – By eight months of age.
- Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccines: Both the Hepatitis A vaccine and the Hepatitis B vaccinehelp protect your child from liver diseases. Hepatitis A and B are both liver diseases. However, they are transmitted in different ways. Hepatitis A is spread by contacting an infected person or ingesting orally. In contrast, Hep B is spread through blood-to-blood or bodily fluid contact. The timeline for when these vaccines should be administered is:
Hepatitis A (First dose) – 12 months of age through 23 months of age.
Hepatitis A (Second dose) – 6 months after receiving the first dose.
Hepatitis B (First dose): Receive 2, 3, or 4 shots by 6 months of age at birth. Note: For some, it may take longer than 6 months to complete the series of vaccines needed for Hepatitis B.
- Haemophilus Influenza type B (HIB) Vaccine: TheHIB vaccine helps prevent children from contracting the Haemophilus virus. Symptoms from HIB bacteria can be mild, such as ear infections, to more severe illnesses, like infections in the bloodstream, pneumonia, and severe swelling in the throat. The timeline for when the HIB vaccine should be administered is as follows:
First dose- 2 months of age, receiving up to 3–4 doses by 12–15 months of age.
- Pneumococcal (PCV13) Vaccine: The pneumococcal vaccinehelps prevent diseases from pneumococcal bacteria. Symptoms associated with pneumococcal bacteria include pneumonia, meningitis, sinus infections, ear infections, and bacteremia (bloodstream infections). The timeline for when children should receive their PCV13 vaccine is as follows:
This vaccine is usually given in 4 doses and should be administered at 2,4,6 and 12–15 months of age.
- Meningococcal Vaccine: The meningococcal vaccinehelps prevent diseases from a bacteria called Neisseria Meningitis. This type of bacteria can lead to meningitis, which is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. The timeline for this vaccine is:
Two doses of the MenACWY vaccine are recommended for adolescents 11–12 years old and a booster dose at 16. This vaccine is also recommended for children between the ages of 11 and 18.
- DTap and TDap Vaccines: TheDTap and TDap vaccines help prevent three deadly diseases in children caused by bacteria. These bacteria include diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The timeline for when these vaccines should be administered is:
DTap—Children should receive five doses of the DTap vaccine at the ages of 2 months, four months, six months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.
TDap—This vaccine is only for children 7 years of age and older. Adolescents should preferably receive it at the age of 11-12.
- Polio Vaccine: The polio vaccinehelps prevent poliovirus, a life-threatening disease that affects an individual’s spinal cord. Poliovirus can lead to paralysis, permanent disability, and even death. The timeline for the poliovirus vaccine is:
First dose – 2 months of age
Second dose – 4 months of age
Third dose – 6–18 months of age
Fourth dose – 4–6 years of age
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: TheHPV Vaccine helps prevent infections from HPV, as well as certain types of cancers associated with HPV, such as; cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancer in women, penile cancer in men, and anal cancer in both women and men. The timeline for when the HPV vaccine should be administered is:
11–12 years of age, but maybe given starting at age 9.
- MMR Vaccine: The MMR vaccinehelps prevent diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. The timeline for when the MMR vaccine should be administered is:
First dose – 12 to 15 months of age
Second dose – 4 to 6 years of age
When it comes to the health of your little one, never leave it up to chance. Child vaccines in Wellington are here! Contact the offices of SuraMed Health Center, PA, to schedule your child’s immunizations in Wellington.