Immunization Schedule
Getting your child regularly immunized is a vital part in keeping him healthy. Vaccinations against infectious diseases, like hepatitis B or rubella, will help protect him throughout his lifetime from sickness and even death. For school-age and college-bound children, immunizations are mandatory for admission to grade school and college.
To be effective, these inoculations must be administered at specific ages during your child's early life. Use our checklist below to help you keep your kids up-to-date on all their necessary shots
NOTE: The immunization schedule can change due to the development of new vaccines. You should review the schedule with your child's pediatrician during annual visits. Print out a copy of this list to take with you on your next visit to the pediatrician.
BIRTH - 18 MONTHS:
HEPATITIS B (Hep. B) - Untreated hepatitis B can lead to serious liver damage. The inoculation schedule is one shot, followed by two boosters.
Babies born in hospitals are usually given this shot while they are in the hospital. Infants born at home or in non-traditional birthing centers should be inoculated soon after birth.
DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS, PERTUSSIS (DTaP vaccine) - Diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) are diseases of the respiratory tract while tetanus (lockjaw)--usually caused by animal bites or cuts from rusted metals--is a disease of the nervous system. The inoculation for this series is one shot followed by three boosters.
HIB VACCINE (Haemophilus influenzae, type B) - babies are especially susceptible to haemophilus influenzae, type B. This is the bacterial infection responsible for most ear infections in infants. The inoculation schedule is one shot followed by three boosters.
POLIOVIRUS (IPV vaccine) - the poliovirus attacks the nervous and lymphatic systems of the body which can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis. The inoculation schedule is one intial shot and two boosters.
MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA (MMR vaccine) - this combination vaccine helps protect against three of the most common childhood diseases: measles (an infection of the respiratory system characterized by a splotchy, pink/red rash), mumps (a viral infection that causes the salivary glands in the cheeks and jaws to become swollen and tender) and rubella, also known as German measles, (a viral infection that often causes swelling of the glands behind the neck and ears).
Initial shot: 12 months
VARICELLA (Var. vaccine) - Varicella (also known as chicken pox) is a highly contagious, infectious virus that can cause a serious rash and lead to serious complications. Take your baby for a Var. vaccination on or after 1 year of age, especially if your child will be going into group day care where the virus can be spread very quickly.
Initial shot: 12 - 18 months
4 - 6 YEARS
DTaP
The 5th booster.
IPV
The 4th booster.
MMR
This is the second shot of MMR for your child. Also, keep in mind that the second dose is recommended at this time, but may be administered if 4 weeks have passed since the first shot. Also, both doses must be administered on or after 1 year of age.
11 - 16 YEARS
Tetanus (Td vaccine)
Take your child to the doctor for a Td shot between the ages of 11 and 12 only if 5 years have passed since the last dose of DTaP, DTP or DT. A Td booster is recommended every 10 years.
Hep. B
Start the series now, if earlier vaccinations were missed or given before the recommended minimum age.
MMR
If your child has not already received the second vaccination of MMR, make sure he or she does by the ages of 11 - 12.
Var. Vaccine
Susceptible children who are 13 or older should receive two vaccinations of Var, administered at least 4 weeks apart.
2 - 12 YEARS
Hepatitis A (Havrix)
Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver. However, this infection is almost always temporary. According to the Hepatitis Information Network they recommend the Hep. A vaccine for "[l]ong-term or frequent travellers to endemic regions; residents of communities with high endemic rates of hepatitis A; residents and staff of institutions for the mentally handicapped." Check with your state health agency for details.
This information was compiled from The Center for Disease Control's National Immunization Program Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/nip) and THE HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE (Simon and Schuster).
Initial shot: Birth - 2 months
