Getting a Shot: Vaccine & Immunizations Update

Humans have managed to utilize science to outsmart illnesses that used to wipe out entire populations at a time. We've done this through medical advances, most particularly, through vaccines and immunizations. A sick baby is the last thing you need, so be sure to keep your little one immunized with the latest vaccines in accordance with the latest credible research available.

All vaccinations are important, but you should specifically note that some of the illnesses prevented by modern vaccines are on the rise again among certain sectors of the population that have refused vaccinations. In the U.S., we have experienced recent spikes in cases of measles, with the largest outbreaks in New York, Texas, and North Carolina. Reports of the mumps are also on the rise, with the highest numbers in the Midwest. Pertussis (whooping cough) is also on the rise again, with recent outbreaks occurring most notably in California. In nearly all of these cases, the affected patients had not received a vaccine for the illness.

Recent Research on Vaccines

A February 2014 Danish study found that children who received the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella 9) vaccine at the appropriate ages had a lower incidence of infection-related hospital admissions.

A March 2014 Australian study found a significant link between receipt of the HPV vaccine and a lower rate of cervical abnormalities.

In order to keep your child as healthy as possible, follow the vaccination schedule provided by the Centers for Disease Control, which is based on current research. Many of these vaccinations are normally lumped together in groups of two or three, to be administered at one doctor visit. If you are concerned about potential side effects from doing too many vaccines at once, you can talk with your doctor about administering them separately. You can go to the CDC website (www.cdc.gov) and others to learn about an alternate vaccination schedule in order to provide your child with more time between vaccinations.

If you plan to travel with your child, discuss your travel plans with your doctor so that you can possibly accelerate your vaccination schedule or receive shots specific to your destination. Once your child is vaccinated, be sure to keep an eye on how long each vaccination lasts; some will need to be updated down the road.

General Schedule of Vaccines for Birth through 12 Years

Birth

Hepatitis B1 - 1^st dose

1 Month

Hepatitis B2 - 2^nd dose (between 1 month and 2 months)

2 Months

Rotavirus 2 - 1^st dose

Diphtheria - 1^st dose

Tetanus - 1^st dose

Acellular Pertussis 3 - 1^st dose

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B5 - 1^st dose

Pneumococcal Conjugate 6 - 1^st dose

Inactivated Poliovirus 7 - 1^st dose

4 Months

Rotavirus 2 - 2^nd dose

Diphtheria - 2^nd dose

Tetanus - 2^nd dose

Acellular Pertussis 3 - 2^nd dose

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B5 - 2^nd dose

Pneumococcal Conjugate 6 - 2^nd dose

Inactivated Poliovirus 7 - 2^nd dose

6 Months

Hepatitis B1 - 3^rd dose (between 6 months and 15 months)

Diphtheria - 3^rd dose

Tetanus - 3^rd dose

Acellular Pertussis 3 - 3^rd dose

Pneumococcal Conjugate 6 - 3^rd dose

Inactivated Poliovirus 7 - 3^rd dose (between 6 months and 18 months)

Annual Influenza Vaccination, Influenza 8 (between 6 months and 15 months and to be continued once a year)

12 Months

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B5 - 3^rd or 4^th dose (between 12 months and 18 months)

Pneumococcal Conjugate 6 - 4^th dose (between 12 months and 15 months)

Measles - 1^st dose (between 12 months and 15 months)

Mumps - 1^st dose (between 12 months and 15 months)

Rubella 9 - 1^st dose (between 12 months and 15 months)

Varicella 10 - 1^st dose (between 12 months and 15 months)

Hepatitis A 11 - 2^nd dose (between 12 months and 23 months)

15 Months

Diphtheria - 4^th dose (between 15 months and 18 months)

Tetanus - 4^th dose (between 15 months and 18 months)

Acellular Pertussis 3 - 4^th dose (between 15 months and 18 months)

4-6 Years

Diphtheria - 5^th dose

Tetanus - 5^th dose

Acellular Pertussis 3 - 5^th dose

Inactivated Poliovirus 7 - 4^th dose

Measles - 2^nd dose

Mumps - 2^nd dose

Rubella 9 - 2^nd dose

Varicella 10 - 2^nd dose

11-12 Years

TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis 4)

HPV (1^st dose of 3-dose series)

Meningococcal 13 - 1^st dose