Article featured image
Staying up to Date with Vaccinations

 

Obtaining vaccinations is essential in the lives of children of all ages. Vaccines will assist and protect children from diseases that could potentially cause great distress, discomfort, and even harm. Ensuring that young infants and children do not fall behind or lag in obtaining their vaccines is equally as important, as such delays would give diseases opportunities to formulate and spread. We strongly encourage following a set vaccine schedule for your child to avoid any of these scenarios. The schedule in this blog can serve as a guide:

Birth to age 2

  • Hepatitis B

  • Rotavirus

  • Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis

  • Haemophilus influenzae type b

  • Pneumococcal conjugate

  • Inactivated poliovirus

  • Influenza

  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

  • Varicella (chickenpox)

  • Hepatitis A

4-6 years old

  • Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis

  • Inactivated poliovirus

  • Influenza

  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

  • Varicella (chickenpox)

Teens

  • Tetanus, diphtheria & acellular pertussis (Tdap)

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

  • Meningococcal

  • COVID-19 (with FDA approval, many colleges and universities are now requiring)

Advice for parents for staying on schedule

Parents are encouraged and advised to review, monitor, and assess all immunization history as well as the need for immunizations for their children. We would also encourage parents to partake in educating their children about the health and importance of vaccines for greater comprehension.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month!

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is held annually in August to give attention to the importance of vaccines for people of all ages. Let us use this time to spread word and educate as many as we can about how crucial being vaccinated is, as well as how being on schedule for all vaccines is equally as important!

Sources:

https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/why-its-important-to-be-up-to-date-on-vaccines#:~:text=Why%20get%20caught%20up%20now,in%20our%20communities%20once%20again.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/catchup.html