by McCoy K
Immunization Guidelines for Children
A vaccine, or immunization, is a medicine given to a person so that he produces antibodies against a certain infection. These antibodies then serve to help prevent the infection.
In the US, vaccines have resulted in record-low levels of certain childhood diseases. Vaccines do not only protect the person they are given to, but also the population at large, since they work to reduce the general prevalence of once-common infections.
Vaccine-Preventable Infections
The following infections can be prevented by vaccination:
- Diphtheria—a respiratory infection caused by bacteria that may result in breathing problems, coma, and death if not treated
-
Haemophilus influenzae type B—a bacterial infection occurring primarily in children; if severe, can lead to
meningitis
, death, and permanent brain damage
- Hepatitis A—an infection caused by the hepatitis A virus that affects the liver
- Hepatitis B—an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus that can lead to scarring of the liver and
liver cancer
- Human papillomavirus
(HPV)—the virus that causes some warts and is associated with
cervical cancer
- Influenza—a common viral infection occurring during the winter months
- Measles—a viral respiratory infection that may lead to diarrhea, ear infections,
pneumonia
, swelling of the brain, seizures, and death
-
Meningococcal—a cause of
bacterial meningitis, a serious, often fatal, disease
- Mumps—a viral infection of the lymph nodes that may lead to meningitis, inflammation of the testicles, ovaries, or pancreas, and permanent deafness
- Pertussis
(whooping cough)—a bacterial respiratory infection that may lead to pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and death, especially in infants
- Pneumococcal disease—a bacterial infection that is a common cause of pneumonia in adults but may lead to ear infections and meningitis in children
- Polio—a viral infection of the nervous system that can lead to disability and death
- Rotavirus—major cause of potentially life-threatening gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea)
- Rubella
(German measles)—a viral respiratory infection that, when contracted by a pregnant woman, can cause birth defects, including deafness, cataracts, heart abnormalities,
intellectual disability
, and liver and spleen damage
- Tetanus
(lockjaw)—a bacterial infection of the nervous system that can result in death
- Varicella
(chickenpox)—a herpes virus that may lead to pneumonia and
encephalitis
(swelling of the brain)
Childhood Vaccines
The following vaccines are recommended in children who are at average risk for these infections:
-
DTaP—three vaccines in one shot given in a series of 5 doses; protects against
diphtheria
,
tetanus, and
pertussis; Tdap is a vaccine recommended as a booster dose in early adolescence
- HepA—given in a series of two doses to protect against hepatitis A
- Hep B—given as a series of three shots to help prevent hepatitis B
- Hib—given as a series of three (or four) shots to help prevent
Haemophilus influenza
type B
- HPV—given as a series of three shots to help prevent HPV, which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer
- Influenza—given annually to help prevent the flu
(Some children aged 6 months to 8 years old may need a series of two shots.)
- MCV4—one shot and a booster dose given to protect against bacterial meningitis
- MMR—given as two shots to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella
- PCV—given in a series of four doses to protect against the pneumococcal bacteria
- Polio vaccine—given in a series of four doses to prevent polio
- Rotavirus vaccine—given in a series of 2 or 3 doses to protect against rotavirus
- Varicella—given as two shots to help prevent chickenpox
Childhood Immunization Schedule
The table below summarizes when children of average risk should receive certain vaccinations. You may print the table and use the “Date received” column to track when your child receives each vaccine.
| Age |
Recommended vaccines |
Date received |
| Birth |
|
|
| 1-2 months |
|
|
| 2 months |
- DTaP (first dose)
- Hib (first dose)
- PCV (first dose)
- Polio vaccine (first dose)
- Rotavirus vaccine (first dose)
|
|
| 4 months |
- DTaP (second dose)
- Hib (second dose)
- PCV (second dose)
- Polio vaccine (second dose)
- Rotavirus vaccine (second dose)
|
|
| 6 months |
- DTaP (third dose)
- Hib (third dose)
- PCV (third dose)
- Rotavirus vaccine (third dose)
|
|
| Yearly after 6 months |
- Influenza (Some children aged 6 months to 8 years old may need second dose 4 weeks after the first dose.)
|
|
| 6-18 months |
- HepB (third dose)
- Polio vaccine (third dose)
|
|
| 12-15 months |
- Hib (fourth dose)
- MMR (first dose)
- PCV (fourth dose)
- Varicella (first dose)
|
|
| 12-23 months |
- HepA (second dose given 6-18 months after first dose)
|
|
| 15-18 months |
|
|
| 4-6 years |
- DTaP (fifth dose)
- Polio vaccine (fourth dose)
- MMR (second dose)
- Varicella (second dose)
|
|
| 11-12 years |
- Tdap (booster shot to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
- HPV (three doses)
- MCV4
|
|
| 16 years |
|
|
Certain “high-risk” children may need to receive additional vaccinations and/or doses. Also, if your child missed one or more vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended times for “catch-up” immunizations. Talk to the doctor to find out if this applies to your child.
Some Children Should Not Be Vaccinated
Childhood vaccines are generally very safe. Some children may experience mild adverse events at the time of the vaccine, including fever, soreness at the vaccine site, or a lump under the skin where the shot was given.
The small risk of serious adverse events is far outweighed by the disease-preventing benefits of vaccines in most cases. However, there are some situations in which children should not receive certain vaccines. Examples of these situations include children who
- Had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a component in the vaccine
- Are severely ill (wait until the child has recovered)
- Are taking medicines to suppress the immune system
- Have certain types of cancer or other diseases
Talk with the doctor to find out if it is safe to have your child vaccinated.
RESOURCES
American Academy of Pediatrics
Childhood Immunization Support Program
http://www.cispimmunize.org/
Vaccines and Immunizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/
References
Childhood vaccines: what they are and why your child needs them. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
http://familydoctor.org/028.xml
. Updated December 2010. Accessed July 29, 2012.
Human papillomavirus vaccine. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/
. Updated June 19, 2012. Accessed July 29, 2012.
Immunization schedules. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/
. Updated May 31, 2012. Accessed July 29, 2012.
Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0 through 6 years: United States 2012. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/child/0-6yrs-schedule-pr.pdf. Updated 2012. Accessed September 18, 2012.
Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 7-18 years—United States, 2012. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/7-18yrs-schedule-pr.pdf.
Accessed February 16, 2012.
Vaccine information statement: influenza vaccine: inactivated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf. Updated July 2, 2012. Accessed September 18, 2012.
Vaccine information statement: influenza vaccine: live, intranasal. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flulive.pdf. Updated July 2, 2012. Accessed September 18, 2012.
Vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/child-vpd.htm
. Updated February 25, 2012. Accessed July 29, 2012.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/varicella/default.htm
. Updated April 5, 2012. Accessed July 29, 2012.
9/18/2012 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and control of influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - United States, 2012-13 influenza season. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61:613-618.