[Year]
Dr. Peter Mangas
[A
GUIDE TO VACCINATIONS]
Provided by Hilltop Family Practice
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Immunization Basics
Welcome to the Hilltop Family Practice
immunization program.
“Today, children in the United States routinely get vaccines that
protect them from more than a dozen diseases such as measles, polio
and tetanus. Most of these diseases are now at their lowest levels in
history, thanks to years of immunization.”
This document has been prepared by our office to help you understand
the necessity for vaccines to ensure the health of your child and the
health of others with whom your child comes into contact.
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is administered to help prevent your child getting a
particular type of disease. The vaccine is a preparation containing
weakened or dead microbes that cause disease. When it is
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administered, it stimulates your child’s immune system to produce
antibodies. These antibodies protect aggainst the disease.
Are vaccines safe for my child?
Generally vaccines are safe. There is a small risk, but the protection
vaccines provide far outweighs this small risk. If your child has had a
reaction to a first shot in a series, Dr. Mangus will discuss the pros and
cons of continuing with the rest of the shots in the series. Please talk
to Dr. Mangas if you have any questions or concerns.
What side effects could my child experience?
We will discuss possible side effects of each vaccine as it is
administered and will inform you of ways you can help lessen these side
effects. Possible side effects are temporary and may include slight
fever, soreness at the site where a shot is given, or redness or swelling
where the shot was given.
When should my child be vaccinated?
The timetable for your child’s vaccines will depend on your child’s
health, the type of vaccine, and the vaccines available. Section 3 of
this document contains two tables with suggested vaccination times.
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Recommended Vaccinations
HBV (Hepatitis B Vaccine)
The HBV vaccine helps prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV), a disease
affecting the liver. It can lead to liver cancer and death. The vaccine is
given as a series of three shots beginning at birth. The HBV vaccine
will protect your child from childhood and into their adult years.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of dehydration and
diarrhea in infants and young children. It is extremely contagious and
is particularly a problem in child-care centers and children’s hospitals.
It’s recommended that the vaccine be given in three doses by mouth at
2, 4, and 6 months of age.
IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus)
Polio is a viral infection that can result in permanent paralysis. Until
recently the oral poliovirus was given in the United States, but there
was a very small risk of developing polio after receiving the live oral
vaccine. Now, however, the inactivated poliovirus vaccine is
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recommended. It should be given at 2, 4, 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6
years.
PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PVC) protects your child against
the bacterium that is the leading cause of infections including
pneumonia, blood infection, and bacterial meningitis. The vaccine is
given as a series of four shots starting at 2 months of age.
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis)
The DTaP vaccine is given in a series of shots administered between
the ages of 2 months and 4 to 6 years. The vaccine is a combination
inoculation against three diseases/infections which are: Diphtheria,
Tetanus, and Pertussis.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease but exceptionally rare.
Diphtheria is an infection that occurs in the throat, nose, and mouth.
The symptoms include a cough as well as a sore throat. Diphtheria can
lead to pneumonia, heart failure and paralysis if left untreated.
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Pertussis
Pertussis is a life threatening disease especially children under a year
old. It is also commonly referred to as whooping cough.
Tetanus
Tetanus is an infecion that can occur from bacteria that is associated
with dirt, gravel, or rusty metals. The baceria enter the body through
a cut. The infection usually results in lock jaw.
Hib (Meningitis)
The Hib vaccine protects against the Haemophilus influenzae type b
bacteria, the leading cause of meningitis before the vaccine was
developed. The Hib vaccines is administered as a series of three shots
beginning at 2 months with a booster shot at 12 to 15 months.
Influenza
The influenza vaccine gives your child a chance to build up immunity to
an influenza “flu” virus before the flu season. Because flu viruses
constantly change, the vaccine is updated each year. If your child is
between 6 and 59 months old, you should have your child vaccinated
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every fall. If your child—or you—have a chronic medical condition such
as asthma or diabetes, the flu shot should be given every year.
MMR Vaccine
The MMR vaccine is an immunization against the following: Measles,
Mumps, and Rubella. All three of these diseases are highly contagious
and occur during childhood.
Measles
Measles is a virus which causes a rash on the body. Symptoms include
a cough, runny nose, fever, and eye irritation. This virus can cause
pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and in rare cases death.
Mumps
The symptoms of the mumps virus include fever, headache, and swollen
glands. It can also cause deafness, meningitis, and death in some cases.
Rubella
Rubella is also known as the German Measles. This is the mildest
disease of the three. This disease may cause serious birth defects of
a baby if the woman is pregnant and becomes infected.
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Varicella (Chickenpox)
The varicella vaccine protects your child against the highly contagious
and common chickenpox viral illness that can cover your child with an
itchy rash of spots and is accompanied by flu-like symptoms. The
vaccine is given between the ages of 12 to 15 months with a booster
shot at 4 to 6 years old.
MCV4 (Bacterial Meningitis)
Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane that protects
the brain. While rare, it is highly contagious. The MCV4 vaccine
protects against the disease and should be given to your child between
ages 11 or 12 years, before high school, or before entering college and
living in a dorm.
Hepatitis A
The hepatitis A vaccine protects your child against the fever, nausea,
vomiting, and jaundice caused by hepatitis A. This disease can be
epidemic in a community. The vaccination is a series of two shots
administered between the ages of 12 to 23 months.
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Suggested Schedules
Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children 0-6
Years Old
Vaccine
Age
Comments
HBV (Hepatitis B Birth, between 1 and 2
vaccine)
months, and between 6
to 18 months
PCV
2 months, 4 months, 6
(Pneumococcal
months, and between 12 groups
Conjugate
to 15 months
Vaccine)
High-risk
booster
between 2
to 6 years
old
DTaP
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2 months, 4 months, 6
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(Diphtheria,
months, between 15 to
Tetanus,
18 months of age, and
Acellular
final dose between ages
Pertussis)
4 to 6 years
Hib (Meningitis)
2 months, 4 months, 6
months, between 12 to
15 months
Influenza
Annually between 6
High-risk
months to 59 months
groups
continue
annually
MMR Vaccine
12 to 15 months.
(Measles, Mumps, Second dose between 4
Rubella)
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and 6 years
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Varicella
12 to 15 months.
(Chickenpox)
Second dose between 4
and 6 years of age
MCV4 (Bacterial
Between 2 to 6 years
Meningitis)
old
Hepatitis A
Two doses six months
High-risk
apart between 12 and
groups
23 months
booster
between 2
to 6 years
old
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PPV (Pneumococcal Vaccine)1 dose between 7 to 18 years old
Administer to certain high-risk groups
Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis)
1 dose between 11 to
12 years for those who have completed the recommended DTP/DTaP
vaccination series
Influenza 1 dose annually Administer to certain high-risk groups
annually
MCV4 (Bacterial Meningitis)
Hepatitis A
1 dose between 11 to 12 years old
2 doses between 7 to 18 years old
Administer to
certain high-risk groups
HPV (Human Papillomavirus 3 doses between 11 and 12 years Females
only
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