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New Guide to Childhood Vaccinations Now Available Free to Parents Earthtimes (press release), UK - Jul 15, 2008 The "What to Expect? Guide to Immunizations" is a new, complimentary booklet available at many pediatricians' offices across the country as well as online ... Seattle Times Not many speak their mind to Gates Foundation Seattle Times, United States - Aug 3, 2008 One of the foundation's earliest ventures helped expand immunizations for more than 200 million children, preventing an estimated 3 million deaths. ... Your Health Chicago Daily Herald, IL - Jul 27, 2008 Author Heidi Murkoff has plenty of parenting cred, so it's no surprise GlaxoSmithKline tapped her to write the "What to Expect Guide to Immunizations," a ... VACCINATIONS: WHAT TO EXPECT Rocky Mountain News, CO - Jul 21, 2008 The complimentary "What to Expect Guide to Immunizations" booklet is available at many pediatricians' offices as well as online at whattoexpect.org. ... Prepping for kindergarten? Delmarva Now, MD - Jul 31, 2008 "This way, we won't have a situation like last year when students (missed school) because they didn't have required immunizations. ... CHILDREN'S HEALTH, A COMMUNITY AFFAIR YourHub.com, CO - Jul 29, 2008 There is something for everyone as health experts and families explore safety, infant nutrition and immunizations, teen autism, and child advocacy. ... DATES & DEADLINES Franklin Park Herald Journal, IL - Jul 30, 2008 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is offering free medical and dental screenings, school physicals and immunizations and general physicals ... Use care when the mercury rises Tampabay.com, FL - Jul 28, 2008 Florida KidCare provides health benefits for children 19 and younger, and includes regular doctor visits, immunizations and dental and vision benefits. ... New wellness calls designed to help keep patients healthier Reporter-Times, IN - Jul 24, 2008 Also included in the telephone calls are reminders about wellness exams and immunizations. ?Our mission is to provide the highest quality health care. ... Chambers County receives 2008 County Best Practices Award for ... Anahuac Progress, TX - Jul 23, 2008 Services offered include: physicals, sick visits, routine medical visits and immunizations. Cholesterol screening, EKG, blood glucose screening, urinalysis, ...

A Guide to Childhood Immunizations

With September just around the corner, the back-to-school rush has begun. Before life gets too hectic, this is the perfect time to check your child's immunization record to be sure that everything is up-to-date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the following recommendations to ensure that your child receives all the necessary immunizations to prevent serious disease.

The first 2 Months
Hepatitis B—Usually a few hours after being born, all babies receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine. If the mother does not have hepatitis B, the first shot could wait until up to 2 months of age. However, if the mother does have hepatitis B, the baby should receive the first shot within 12 hours of birth and the second dose by 2 months. By 18 months of age, all children should have received three doses of the vaccine. Together, these three shots provide long-lasting immunity against hepatitis B. If your child is older than 2 months and has not yet received this vaccination, they can safely receive three injections over a period of six months.

Two to 6 Months
Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP)—This immunization consists of a series of five injections. The first three are usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Shot number four is given before 18 months of age. The last in the series should not be administered until after the child is four years old. Tetanus and diptheria boosters (Td) are necessary again by age 12 and every ten years after to maintain immunity. However, the vaccine for pertussis should not be administered to anyone over 7 years of age.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)—This immunization protects against the bacteria that can cause meningitis, pneumonia and other serious infections in children. Beginning at 2 months of age, your child will receive four shots before he or she is 15 months old. This vaccine is manufactured by various companies, so individual instructions may differ slightly.

Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)—Also used to prevent meningitis and other blood infections, this immunization is administered at 2 months and repeated three more times before the age of 15 months. Some at-risk children may also receive a similar vaccine after reaching 2 years of age.

Polio (IPV)—This vaccine is given first at 2 months and again at 4 months. Subsequent doses should be given between 6 and 18 months of age and again between 4 and 6 years of age. While previously available as a liquid that could be swallowed, the polio vaccine is now only recommended to be given via an injection.

Influenza (flu)—A yearly inactivated flu vaccine is recommended for children between 6 months and 2 years (this vaccine should never be given to anyone under 6 months of age). It is also recommended for children older than 2 years if they have a particular medical condition that puts them at increased risk, such as asthma, HIV, diabetes or cardiac disease.

12 Months and Older
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)—This immunization is given once between 12 and 18 months and again between 4 and 6 years. If the second dose is missed, it should be given before 12 years of age.

Chickenpox (varicella)—If your child is a year old and has not had chickenpox yet, he or she should be immunized against the disease by 18 months and can be effectively immunized with one dose until 13 years of age. However, if this immunization has not been given by this point, it can be given anytime up to 18 years of age, but 2 doses spaced 4-6 weeks apart are needed. Be aware that some schools require proof of immunization against chickenpox.

Hepatitis A (HepA)—This immunization is given in two doses at least six months apart after age 2. However, it is only recommended for people who are at increased risk of the disease, either because they live in a particular region of the country which has a high incidence of the disease or because of travel outside the United States.

Other Tips
While your child's pediatrician will keep a record of immunizations on file in the office, it is a good idea to keep a personal copy at home. This way, if you need to change physicians or if your child becomes ill, you know what he or she has been protected against. Additionally, having a copy of you child's records will ease the process of applying to a new school or child care program.

Keep an immunization calendar on hand to keep track of the recommendations.

A printable version can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule-fourpages-print.pdf