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Immunizations are a safe and simple way to protect your child from
many crippling or fatal diseases.
Vaccination
can prevent diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio,
measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis
A & B, varicella (chicken pox), pneumococcal disease, and rotavirus.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all healthy children
in the United States be vaccinated against these diseases.
Most vaccines
may be given in the presence of a "slight cold" or other
minor illness. If in doubt, call before bringing the baby.
A recommended schedule for well child visits and immunizations follows,
as well as information regarding the indications, risk factors,
and potential side effects for each:
| Newborn: |
1 to
3 days of care at hospital following birth.
Hepatitis B administered in the nursery. |
| 3
Weeks: |
Examination,
child health supervision. |
| 2
Months: |
Examination,
health supervision, inoculation against Diphtheria, Tetanus,
Pertussis (DTaP),
Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib)
Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal,
Polio Vaccine. |
| 4
Months |
Examination,
health supervision, DTaP, Hib,
Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal, Polio Vaccine. |
| 6
Months: |
Examination,
health supervision, DTaP, Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal,
Polio Vaccine.
Influenza Vaccine* |
| 9
Months: |
Examination,
health supervision, blood test (hemoglobin) for anemia. Influenza
Vaccine* |
| 12
Months: |
Examination,
health supervision, lead test, Tuberculosis screening, Chicken
Pox, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Hib, Pneumococcal, Hepatitis
A Vaccine. Influenza Vaccine* |
| 15-18
Months: |
Examination,
health supervision, DTaP,
Hepatitis A Vaccine. Influenza Vaccine* |
| 2
Years: |
Examination,
health supervision, Tuberculosis screening, lead test. Hepatitis
A Vaccine available
(if haven't had two doses already). |
| 3-3
1/2 Years: |
Examination,
health supervision, urine screening,
Tuberculosis and lead screenings, speech evaluation, vision
screening. |
| 4-5
Years: |
School
examination, health supervision, urine
screening, hemoglobin for anemia, DTaP, MMR,
Polio Vaccine, Tuberculosis and lead screenings. |
| 6-18
Years: |
The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends
physical examinations every 2 years. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria,
& Pertussis) and meningococcal vaccine at 11-16 years of
age, and Tuberculosis screening. |
NOTE: It is
advisable to get a Tdap booster every 10 years after the schedule
of immunizations has been completed.
*Children 0-23
months are considered high risk for influenza (the respiratory flu).
Therefore, the "flu" shot is recommended for children
6-23 months of age, and for all household contacts and caretakers
of infants less than 6 months old. The influenza vaccine is offered
in the fall each year. Once the high risk groups are vaccinated,
anyone else who requests the vaccine may also receive it.
Resources:
From
the 2006-2007 Pediatric and Well Child Guide
Written and published by the Medical Associates Pediatrics Department
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