Vaccine Schedule for Children
Vaccines keep dangerous diseases from infecting people. By being proactive and protecting people from being infected with these illnesses, vaccines increase the likelihood of a long and healthy life for everyone. Vaccines work with the body's natural immune system by creating specific antibodies to a disease. These antibodies recognize viruses (and other foreign bodies) and prevent them from infecting the body. This is why the vaccine schedule for children is so important.
A vaccine is made of parts of a virus or other foreign bodies. However, the elements within the vaccine are extremely weak versions or are not alive. They cannot cause the actual disease. They trigger the immune response to fight off the disease, should the body ever encounter the actual virus.
What is Herd Immunity?
Unfortunately, the vaccine's effectiveness is high, but it is not 100% effective. Some parts of the world do not vaccinate. In these areas, diseases are still prevalent and, in some cases, these diseases can make their way into areas that do vaccinate.
When these diseases appear in areas that vaccinate, herd immunity, or
"community immunity" comes into play. If enough people are vaccinated, then the disease can not infiltrate a community or get to very vulnerable people. Herd immunity creates a circle of protection and keeps all people from getting sick. Unfortunately, if not enough people in a community are immunized, the disease can find holes in the circle of protection and spread fast. The most vulnerable groups are unvaccinated, babies, the elderly and the immune-compromised.
Why are Childhood Vaccinations Important?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly encourage parents to maintain the following vaccination schedule for babies, children and adolescents.
The CDC and AAP determine vaccination schedules through several factors. Some of these factors have to do with how long a vaccine will take to build up the immune system, the social exposure a child will have and the expected developmental state of the child.
What Diseases do Vaccines Fight Against?
The following is a summary of the diseases which are vaccinated against in children and adolescents 18 years and younger.
Hepatitis B
This vaccine prevents infection from the hepatitis B virus, which causes hepatitis. Hepatitis is a contagious liver disease. With long term infection, cancer and liver failure can occur.
DTaP, DT, Tdap
This vaccine prevents infection from diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Diphtheria infects the nose and throat. Diptheria can cause death in one in 10 people infected. Tetanus is a bacterial infection that can lead to painful muscle contractions and possibly death. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, infects the respiratory tract and can affect breathing. It is especially dangerous for babies and young children.
Haemophilus Influenzae
Preventing infection from Haemophilus influenzae type B, this vaccine is important. If children contract this type of influenza it can cause diseases like bacterial meningitis, which can cause deafness, brain damage and can even be fatal.
IPV
This prevents infection from the poliovirus. Infection results in polio, which can cause paralysis or fatality.
PCV
This is the vaccine for pneumococcal bacteria. A pneumococcal infection can cause ear infections, sinus problems and even sepsis.
Rotavirus
This helps to prevents infections from rotavirus, which causes dangerous diarrheal diseases.
MMR
MMR prevents infections from measles, mumps and rubella. Measles is a highly infectious virus that causes a dry cough and red splotches on the skin. Measles can be highly dangerous for small children. Mumps affects the salivary glands and can lead to viral meningitis. Rubella is known for its red spots on the skin and can cause congenital issues and miscarriage in pregnant women.
Hepatitis A
The hepatitis A vaccination prevents infection by hepatitis A, which can cause a type of hepatitis, resulting in liver malfunction.
Chickenpox
This may be one of the most important vaccinations as it prevents infection from chickenpox (Varicella). Chickenpox causes blisters on the skin, which later become red scabs. Complications from the disease can result in toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia or encephalitis.
Flu
The flu vaccine prevents infection from seasonal influenza (flu) virus of that year. The flu virus is especially dangerous for young children, senior citizens and immunocompromised people.
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
This vaccine prevents against Neisseria meningitidis, which can cause meningitis or sepsis.
HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine prevents infection by the human papillomavirus, which causes genital warts and can lead to cancers in the future.
It's not always a talked about thing: post-pregnancy preparation. What do you do? Here's everything you need to know.
Vaccine Schedule
To fully understand the vaccine schedule for children, we have outlined what vaccinations children should receive by age.
At Birth
- Three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine
1 to 2 Months
First dose:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (needs five doses in all)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (needs four doses in all)
- Polio (needs four doses in all)
- Pneumoccocal disease (needs four doses in all)
- Rotavirus
Second dose:
- Hepatitis B vaccine (needs three doses in all)
3 to 4 Months
Second dose:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (needs five doses in all)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (needs four doses in all)
- Polio (needs four doses in all)
- Pneumoccocal disease (needs four doses in all)
- Rotavirus
Third dose:
- Hepatitis B vaccine (needs three doses in all)
5 to 11 Months
First annual:
- Influenza
Third dose:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (needs five doses in all)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (needs four doses in all)
- Polio (needs four doses in all)
- Pneumoccocal disease
- Rotavirus
12 to 23 Months
First dose:
- Chickenpox (needs two doses in all)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (needs two doses in all)
- Hepatitis A (needs two doses in all. Second dose six months after the first.)
Third dose:
- Hepatitis B vaccine (needs three doses in all)
- Polio (needs four doses in all)
Fourth dose:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (needs five doses in all)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (needs four doses in all)
- Pneumococcal disease (needs four doses in all)
2 to 3 Years
Annual:
- Influenza
Second dose:
- Hepatitis A (if not yet given, needs two doses in all)
4 to 6 Years
Annual:
- Influenza
Fifth dose:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (needs five doses in all)
Fourth Dose:
- Polio (needs four doses in all)
Second dose:
- Chickenpox (needs two doses in all)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (needs two doses in all)
7 to 10 Years
Annual:
- Influenza
First dose:
- HPV (needs two doses in all)
11 to 12 Years
Annual:
- Influenza
First dose:
- Meningococcal disease (needs two doses)
- Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (one dose)
Second dose:
- HPV (needs two doses in all)
13 to 18 Years
Annually:
- Influenza
First dose:
- Serogroup B meningococcal
Second dose:
- Meningococcal disease (needs two doses in all)
Keeping Track
Organizing and understanding all the different vaccines can be overwhelming. Talking to a child’s pediatrician can help clear up any questions. Also, the CDC and most pediatric offices have a calendar and organizer that can assist parents in tracking their children’s vaccines.
