Immunization is one of the many marvels of modern medicine. A simple shot in the arm has now protected generations from illnesses that were once a scourge on society or in the case of smallpox completely eradicated them. Immunization is one of the easiest preventative health measures any parent can take to shield their child from illness. Vaccinations begin at birth and continue to age 18 for children. Although all vaccination continues throughout a person’s lifetime and may depend upon factors such as age, sex, and exposure.
Recently immunization among children has hit new lows. This has been mostly due to unfounded claims that immunizations can cause illness. There is no scientific evidence of links between any major illnesses and immunization. Parents that choose not to immunize their children put them at risk to a wide variety of diseases. Though what many parents that choose not to immunize their children don’t realize is the risk they are exposing other children to as well. Immunization is safe and those with doubts should be sure to read about the subject from vetted sources such as the CDC and not blogs or celebrities. Immunization not only keeps you and your family healthy, it also keeps everyone you come in contact with healthy.
2. 1
Overview
Immunization is one of the many marvels of
modern medicine. A simple shot in the arm has
now protected generations from illnesses that
were once a scourge on society or in the case of
smallpox completely eradicated them.
Immunization is one of the easiest preventative
health measures any parent can take to shield their
child from illness. Vaccinations begin at birth and
continue to age 18 for children. Although all
vaccination continues throughout a person’s
lifetime and may depend upon factor
3. 2
Overview
Recently immunization among children has
hit new lows. This has been mostly due to
unfounded claims that immunizations can cause
illness. There is no scientific evidence of links
between any major illnesses and
immunization. Parents that choose not to
immunize their children put them at risk to a wide
variety of diseases. Though what many parents
that choose not to immunize their children don’t
realize is the risk they are exposing other children
to as well. Immunization is safe and those
4. 3
Immunization Schedule
This is the schedule of vaccines recommended
for healthy children from birth through age 6
years. All childhood vaccines are given as a series
of 2 or more doses. Each vaccine dose is
recommended at a specific age, but the schedule
has some flexibility. For example, some vaccines
can be given over a range of ages. Other vaccines
come in a combination form, so one injection
(shot) can provide protection against many
diseases. Vaccine recommendations are based on
when a child is at highe
5. 4
Immunization Schedule
Some illnesses or health conditions indicate that
you may need to delay or not get some vaccines
for your child. Talk to your child’s health care
provider and see the Health Conditions area for
more information.
If you have more questions about childhood
immunization, read the "Schedule Explained" tab,
see the CDC Parent’s Guide to Childhood
Immunization, or ask your child’s health care
provider.
6. 5
Immunization Schedule
VACCINEAGEBirth1 mo2 mo4 mo6 mo12 mo15
mo18 mo19-23 mo2-3 yr4-6 yrHepB1Hepatitis B1
of 32 of 3 doses 3 of 3 doses RV2Rotavirus 1 of
32 of 33 of 3 DTaP3Diphtheria, Tetanus,acellular
Pertussis
7. 6
Immunization Schedule
1 of 52 of 53 of 5 4 of 5 doses 5 of
5Hib4Haemophilus Influenzaetype b 1 of 42 of 43
of 44 of 4 doses PCV5Pneumococcal 1 of 42 of
43 of 44 of 4 doses IPV6Inactivated
Poliovirus(Polio) Vaccine 1 of 42 of 43 of 4 doses 4
of 4Flu7Influenza Recommended each
yearMMR8Measles, Mumps, Rubella 1 of 2
doses 2 of 2Varicella9Chickenpox 1 of 2
doses 2 of 2HepA10Hepatitis A 2 doses
8. 7
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There are a number of vaccines your child should
receive
within their first 18 months of life. The first of
these is the Hep B vaccine
which prevents hepatitis B (HBV). While
9. 8
Hepatitis B Vaccine
it may seem overly cautious to administer a
vaccine the same day as birth,
there are very good reasons behind this. Hepatitis
B displays no signs or
symptoms in half of those infected. Adults who
contract HBV only have a 6 – 10%
10. 9
Hepatitis B Vaccine
chance of chronic infection while those that
contact HBV before the age of five
have a 30 – 50% chance of chronic infection. Those
born to mothers who are HBV
carriers can contract the virus at birth, but this can
be prevented with prompt
11. 10
Hepatitis B Vaccine
treatment via vaccination. Immunization can
prevent HBV and can spare your
child liver cancer or cirrhosis later in life.
The
schedule for HBV starts with the first shot
preferably before the newborn is
12. 11
Hepatitis B Vaccine
discharged from the hospital. Given that the
newborn is healthy and up to
weight. The second dose should be administered
at 1 to 2 months of age. The
last dose can be given from 6 months to 18
months.
13. 12
Dtap Vaccine
The DTap is a combined vaccine which will
immunize your
child against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis all
at once. Diphtheria is an
illness rarely heard of in our day, but it used to be
rampant. Diphtheria starts
14. 13
Dtap Vaccine
with strep throat like symptoms and progresses to
develop a thick membrane of
mucus in the back of the throat that can obstruct
the airway. It can also cause
kidney, heart and nervous system damage. Given
its disastrous effects on the
15. 14
Dtap Vaccine
body one can understand how important it is to
vaccinate against it and do it
early.
Tetanus
is caused by spores in the soil and can be found
anywhere. The bacterium that
16. 15
Dtap Vaccine
results from the spores creates a toxin that causes
muscle spasms that can lead
to broken bones and obstruction of the airway.
Since tetanus spores are
everywhere and they can enter the body through
small or large cuts the best
defense against it is vaccination.
17. 16
Dtap Vaccine
Pertussis
or whooping cough as it is commonly known is
characterized by a whooping sound
made by infected children or infants while
breathing. The whooping is caused by
the throat being swollen from long coughing jags
that can exhaust the infected
18. 17
Dtap Vaccine
and even cause vomiting that can lead to
dehydration. In the most severe cases
brain inflammation can complicate the illness, one
third of those with this
complication die, another third live with brain
damage and the rest survive
19. 18
Dtap Vaccine
with no lasting nervous system damage. In the past
risks of side effects
prevented parents from vaccinating their children,
but with new vaccines there
is no great risk to the children it is administered to.
This vaccine is administered in
20. 19
Dtap Vaccine
five doses. The first can be given at two months of
age followed by the second
at four months, the third at six months, the fourth
at 15-18 months and the
fifth dose at four to six years of age.
21. 20
Hib Vaccine
Hib vaccine prevents Haemophilus
Influenzae type B, a serious form of bacterial
meningitis that can cause
pneumonia, severe swelling of the throat, death,
infections of the bones,
22. 21
Hib Vaccine
joints, blood and pericardium (the covering of the
heart). Before the invention
of the vaccine Hib was the leading cause of
bacterial meningitis in children
with 20,000 children contracting the disease
annually, with vaccination there
are only 200 cases of Hib yearly.
23. 22
Hib Vaccine
Hib is
administered in four doses. The first can be given
at two months, the second at
four months, the third at six months and the final
fourth dose can be given at
12-15 months.
24. 23
PVC Vaccine
PVC is a vaccine used to prevent Streptococcus
pneumoniae infection that can cause pneumonia,
meningitis and blood infections in children. While
pneumococcal meningitis is
rare it is fatal in 1 in 10 of the children who
contract it. Before the vaccine
25. 24
PVC Vaccine
there were over 700 cases of meningitis, 13,000
blood infections, 5 million ear
infections and 200 deaths caused by
pneumococcal infections.
The
schedule for PVC vaccine is four doses beginning at
two months of age. The
26. 25
PVC Vaccine
second dose can be given at four months, the third
at six months and the fourth
at 12-15 months of age.
27. 26
Polio Vaccine
IVP stands for the inactivated poliovirus vaccine,
when
administered for four full doses it prevents polio
infection. Polio used to be
a scourge that left young children paralyzed in its
wake. Now the virus is on
28. 27
Polio Vaccine
the verge of eradication and is all but dead except
in Afghanistan, Pakistan
and India. Even though risk of Polio is
low in the United States it is still very important to
get vaccinated against
it.
29. 28
Polio Vaccine
The
schedule for vaccination starts at two months of
age and continues with three
more doses at four months, six to 18 months and
finally a last dose at four to
six years of age.
30. 29
Flu Vaccine
Each year the influenza virus that causes the flu
mutates
and causes a new strain of flu. That is why each
year everyone should get a flu
shot. Flu shots can begin at six months of age and
be repeated yearly with each
32. 31
Rotovirus Vaccine
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe acute
gastroenteritis (vomiting and severe diarrhea)
among children worldwide. Two different rotavirus
vaccines are currently licensed for use in infants in
the United States. The vaccines are RotaTeq® (RV5)
and Rotarix® (RV1). Before being licensed, both
vaccines were tested in clinical trials and shown to
be safe and effective. Both vaccines are oral (taken
by mouth and swallowed), not a shot.
33. 32
Rotovirus Vaccine
There are two brands of rotavirus vaccine. A baby
should get either two or three doses, depending
on which brand is used.
The doses are recommended at these ages:
First Dose: 2 months of age
Second Dose: 4 months of age
34. 33
Rotovirus Vaccine
Third Dose: 6 months of age (if needed)
The first dose may be given as early as six weeks of
age, and should be given by age 14 weeks 6 days.
The last dose should be given by eight months of
age.
Rotavirus vaccine may be given at the same time as
other childhood vaccines. Babies who get the
vaccine may be fed normally afterward.
35. 34
Chickenpox Vaccine
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent
chickenpox. Currently, two doses of vaccine are
recommended for children, adolescents, and
adults.
36. 35
Chickenpox Vaccine
While no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing
disease, the chickenpox vaccine is very effective:
about 8 to 9 out of every 10 people who are
vaccinated are completely protected from
chickenpox. In addition, the vaccine almost always
prevents severe disease. If a vaccinated person
does get chickenpox, it is usually a very mild case
lasting only a few days and involving fewer skin
blisters (usually less than 50), mild or no fever, and
few other symptoms.
37. 36
Chickenpox Vaccine
FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN
Getting chickenpox vaccine is much safer than
getting chickenpox disease. Most people who get
chickenpox vaccine do not have any problems with
it. Learn more about possible side effects of
chickenpox vaccines.
38. 37
Chickenpox Vaccine
Children who have never had chickenpox should
get 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine at these
ages:
1st Dose: 12-15 months of age
2nd Dose: 4-6 years of age (may be given earlier, if
at least 3 months after the 1st dose)
39. 38
Chickenpox Vaccine
People 13 years of age and older (who have never
had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine)
should get two doses at least 28 days apart.
A “combination” vaccine called MMRV, which
contains both chickenpox and measles, mumps
and rubella (MMR) vaccines, may be given to
people 12 years of age and younger instead of the
2 individual vaccines. Your child’s doctor can help
you decide which vaccine to use.
40. 39
Chickenpox Vaccine
FOR ADULTS
Anyone born during or after 1980 who has not had
chickenpox or been vaccinated is at risk and should
get 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine. (The
combination MMRV vaccine is not licensed for
those over 12 years old.)
41. 40
Chickenpox Vaccine
However, pregnant women should wait to get the
chickenpox vaccine until after they have given
birth. Women should not get pregnant for 1 month
after getting the chickenpox vaccine.
42. 41
Hepatitis A Vaccine
The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through
vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine.
Vaccination is recommended for all children age 12
months and older, for travelers to certain
countries, and for people at high risk for infection
with the virus.
43. 42
Hepatitis A Vaccine
The hepatitis A vaccine is given as two shots, six
months apart. The hepatitis A vaccine also comes
in a combination form, containing both hepatitis A
and B vaccine, that can be given to persons 18
years of age and older. This form is given as three
shots, over a period of six months or as three shots
over one month and a booster shot at 12 months.
FOR CHILDREN
44. 43
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Getting hepatitis A vaccine is much safer than
getting the disease. But a vaccine, like any
medicine, could possibly cause serious problems
such as severe allergic reactions. Learn more about
possible side effects of hepatitis A vaccine.
45. 44
Hepatitis A Vaccine
The first dose should be given at 12-23 months of
age. Children who are not vaccinated by two years
of age can be vaccinated at later visits.
FOR TRAVELERS
46. 45
Hepatitis A Vaccine
The first dose of hepatitis A vaccine is
recommended for healthy international travelers
younger than 40 years of age at any time before
departure. A shot called immune globulin (IG) can
be considered in addition to hepatitis A vaccine for
older adults, immunocompromised persons, and
persons with chronic liver disease or other chronic
medical conditions who are traveling within two
weeks.
47. 46
Hepatitis A Vaccine
IG without hepatitis A vaccine can be given to
travelers who are younger than 12 months of age,
allergic to a vaccine component, or who elect not
to receive vaccine.
FOR OTHERS
The hepatitis A vaccine series may be started
whenever a person is at risk of infection:
48. 47
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Men who have sexual contact with other men
Users of certain illegal drugs, both injection and
non-injection
Family and caregivers before arrival of
international adoptees
People with chronic (lifelong) liver diseases, such
as hepatitis B or hepatitis C
49. 48
Hepatitis A Vaccine
People who are treated with clotting-factor
concentrates
People who work with hepatitis A infected animals
or in a hepatitis A research laboratory
SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE VACCINATED OR
SHOULD WAIT TO GET VACCINATED
50. 49
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Anyone who has ever had a severe (life
threatening) allergic reaction to a previous dose of
hepatitis A vaccine should not get another dose.
Anyone who has a severe (life threatening) allergy
to any vaccine component should not get the
vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe
allergies. All hepatitis A vaccines contain alum and
some hepatitis A vaccines contain 2-
phenoxyethanol.
51. 50
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Anyone who is moderately or severely ill at the
time the shot is scheduled should probably wait
until they recover. Ask your doctor or nurse.
People with a mild illness can usually get the
vaccine.
52. 51
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The safety of
hepatitis A vaccine for pregnant women has not
been determined. But there is no evidence that it
is harmful to either pregnant women or their
unborn babies. The risk, if any, is thought to be
very low.
53. 52
MMR Vaccine
The MMR Vaccine stands for measles, mumps and
rubella which are serious diseases. Before vaccines
they were very common, especially among
children.
54. 53
MMR Vaccine
**Measles **
-- Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose,
eye irritation, and fever.
-- It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia,
seizures (jerking and staring), brain damage, and
death.
55. 54
MMR Vaccine
**Mumps**
-- Mumps virus causes fever, headache, muscle
pain, loss of appetite, and swollen glands.
-- It can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of
the brain and spinal cord covering), painful
swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and rarely
sterility.
56. 55
MMR Vaccine
**Rubella (German Measles) **
-- Rubella virus causes rash, arthritis (mostly
in women), and mild fever.
-- If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant,
she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be
born with serious birth defects.
57. 56
MMR Vaccine
**Rubella (German Measles) **
These diseases spread from person to person
through the air. You can easily catch them by being
around someone who is already infected. Measles,
mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can protect
children (and adults) from all three of
these diseases.
Thanks to successful vaccination programs
these diseases are much less common in the U.S.
than they used to be. But if we stopped vaccinating
they would return.
58. 57
MMR Vaccine
**Rubella (German Measles) **
Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine:
– First Dose: 12-15 months of age
– Second Dose: 4-6 years of age (may be given
earlier,
if at least 28 days after the 1st dose)
59. 58
Meningococcal Vaccine
Meningococcal vaccines can prevent four types of
meningococcal disease, including two of the three
types most common in the United States and a
type that causes epidemics in Africa.
Meningococcal vaccines cannot prevent all types of
the disease, but they do protect many people who
might become sick if they didn't get the vaccine.
FOR CHILDREN:
60. 59
Meningococcal Vaccine
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is
recommended for children 9 months through ten
years of age who are at increased risk for
meningococcal disease. Children may be at
increased risk due to certain medical conditions or
because they are traveling to a country with high
rates of meningococcal disease. Booster doses may
be recommended if your child remains at
increased risk. Talk to your child’s health care
provider for more information.
62. 61
Meningococcal Vaccine
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is routinely
recommended for all 11 through 18 year olds. The
first dose should be given at 11-12 years of age and
a booster dose at 16 years of age. For adolescents
who receive the first dose at age 13 through 15
years, a one-time booster dose should be
administered, preferably at age 16 through 18
years, before the peak in increased risk.
Adolescents who receive their first dose of
meningococcal conjugate vaccine at or after age 16
years do not need a booster do
63. 62
Meningococcal Vaccine
FOR ADULTS:
Either meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine or
meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended
for adults if you:
Are a college freshman living in a dormitory
Are a military recruit
64. 63
Meningococcal Vaccine
Have a damaged spleen or your spleen has been
removed
Have terminal complement deficiency
Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed
to Neisseria meningitidis (the causal pathogen)
Are traveling to or residing in countries in which
the disease is common
65. 64
Meningococcal Vaccine
Booster doses may be recommended for adults
who remain at increased risk. Talk to your health
care provider for more information.
66. 65
HPV Vaccine
HPV vaccines are available for females and males
to protect against the types of HPV (human
papillomavirus) that most commonly cause health
problems. The best way a person can be sure to
get the most benefit from HPV vaccination is to
complete all three doses before beginning sexual
activity.
68. 67
HPV Vaccine
in females, if it is given before a person is exposed
to the virus. Protection from HPV vaccine is
expected to be long-lasting. But vaccination is not
a substitute for cervical cancer screening. Women
should still get regular Pap tests.Two HPV vaccines
have been used in the U.S. and around the world
for several years. These vaccine are considered
very safe. Learn more about possible side effects of
HPV vaccines.
69. 68
HPV Vaccine
HPV vaccine is given as a three-dose series:
1st Dose
Now
2nd Dose
1 to 2 months after Dose 1
3rd Dose
70. 69
HPV Vaccine
6 months after Dose 1
**FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN**
Two vaccines (Cervarix and Gardasil) are available
to protect females against the types of HPV that
cause most cervical cancers. One of these vaccines
(Gardasil) also protects against most genital warts.
Gardasil has also been tested and shown to protect
against cancers of the vagina, vulva and anus.
71. 70
HPV Vaccine
Both vaccines are recommended for 11- and 12-
year-old girls, and for women 13 through 26 years
old who did not get any or all of the three
recommended doses when they were younger.
These vaccines can also be given to girls beginning
at age nine. It is recommended that females get
the same vaccine brand for all three doses,
whenever possible.
72. 71
HPV Vaccine
HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant
women. However, receiving HPV vaccine when
pregnant is not a reason to consider terminating
the pregnancy. Women who are breast feeding
may get the vaccine.
**FOR BOYS AND MEN**
73. 72
HPV Vaccine
One vaccine (Gardasil) protects males against most
genital warts and anal cancers. This vaccine is
available for boys and men ages 9-26.
The best way a person can be sure to get the most
benefit from HPV vaccination is to complete all
three doses before beginning sexual activity.
74. 73
HPV Vaccine
Learn more about HPV and vaccines to prevent
cervical cancer by reading answers to frequently
asked questions.
