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Immunizations (vaccines) and screening tests are important aspects of preventive medical
care for your child. The following schedule lists the routine immunizations and screening
tests that are a part of the routine well child visits at All Star Pediatrics.
Recommended Schedule for Active Immunization
And Screening Of Infants and Children
| Birth |
Hepatitis B |
|
|
|
| 1 Month |
No |
Immunizations |
|
|
| 2 Months |
Pediarix |
Pneumococcal |
Hib |
Rotavirus |
| 4 Months |
Pediarix |
Pneumococcal |
Hib |
Rotavirus |
| 6 Months |
Pediarix |
Pneumococcal |
Hib |
Rotavirus |
| 9 Months |
Lead Screen |
|
|
|
| 12 Months |
Hepatitis A |
Pneumococcal
Varicella |
Tuberculosis Screen |
Hemoglobin Level |
| 15 Months |
DTaP |
Hib |
MMR |
|
| 18 Months |
Hepatitis A |
|
|
|
| 4-6 Years |
DTaP |
IPV |
MMR |
Varicella |
| 11-12 Years |
Tdap |
Meningococcal |
Gardasil |
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Please read the ALL STAR PEDIATRICS VACCINE POLICY STATEMENT
Please note that the vaccine schedule is constantly changing and may be
confusing at times. The table above represents our current schedule, but if your child's
record does not exactly match this one it does not mean that he or she is necessarily
'behind' or missing any vaccinations. Please check with a physician or nurse for clarifications.
*All children at risk for complications of chest infections (for example those with asthma,
heart disease, or cystic fibrosis) should receive annual influenza vaccinations, as should
all other members of the household.
*Additionally, beginning in 2006, the American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends all children ages 6 months - 5 years receive the influenza vaccine.
* In the Spring/Summer of 2005, two new vaccines are being recommended for the teenage
population. A new meningitis vaccine (Menactra) is recommended at the 11-12 year old well child visit.
Studies have shown that adolescence is a high risk age for acquiring the sometimes fatal and debilitating
illness. Additionally, a new combination tetanus-diptheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) is
recommended in order to boost the pertussis (whooping cough) immunity.
* Pediarix is a combination vaccine which includes DTaP, IPV, and Hepatitis B in one single shot.
This vaccine was incorporated into our vaccine schedule starting January 2005.
* Rotavirus vaccine has been recommended in 2006. This vaccine protects against a virus that causes
severe vomiting and diarrhea in infants and children. The three dose (oral) series is given at the 2, 4,
and 6 month well child visits.
* Beginning in the summer of 2006, the Hepatitis A vaccine is now recommended for children beginning
at 12 months of age. This vaccine is given as two doses - the first at 12 months and a booster
dose at 18 months.
* Beginning in 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends a booster (second vaccination)
for the varicella/chickenpox vaccine.
* Gardasil (HPV vaccine) has been recommended for use in 2007. Gardasil is a vaccine that will
protect females from the most common types of human papillomaviruses that cause cervical cancer.
Notes on the Vaccine Table
- DTaP - Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoids combined with acellular (not live)
Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.
- IPV - Inactivated (not live) Polio Vaccine.
- Hib - Hemophilus influenzae type b
conjugate protects children from some types of
meningitis and epiglottitis.
- Pneumococcal - (also called Prevnar) conjugated Pneumococcal vaccine
protects children from some types of meningitis, pneumonia, bloodstream infections and even some
ear infections.
- Rotavirus - oral vaccine that protects against Rotavirus, a serious cause
of vomiting and diarrhea in children.
- Pediarix - one vaccine that includes DTaP, IPV, and Hepatitis B
- Tdap - combined tetanus, diphtheria (adult type), and acellular pertussis for
those eleven years of age and older. It contains a smaller amount of diphtheria antigen, which provokes
a strong reaction in adults. The pertussis antigen was added in the summer of 2005 to help with the rise of
whooping cough in the adolescent population. Tetanus vaccine and injuries: for clean minor wounds, a
fully immunized child needs no booster dose unless more than 10 years has elapsed since the last dose. For
contaminated wounds, a booster dose should be given if more than five years have elapsed since the last dose.
Adults should be vaccinated every ten years.
- MMR - measles, mumps, rubella (German measles) vaccine
- MMRV - measles, mumps, rubella and varicella/chickenpox vaccine
- Hepatitis B - vaccine protects against one type of viral hepatitis,
which is transmitted by blood products or intimate contact.
- Varicella - vaccine protects children from getting the chicken pox.
A single dose is given to children at 12-15 months. A second dose of varicella vaccine is now given
to each child after 4 years of age.
- Meningococcal vaccine - (Menactra) - protects against strains of dangerous
bacteria which can cause a deadly form of meningitis. Adolescents have been identified as a high risk
population for this devastating illness. This vaccine was incorporated into our vaccine schedule starting
in the spring of 2005.
- Hepatitis A - vaccine protects against one type of viral hepatitis,
which is transmitted by close personal contact and sometimes by eating food or drinking water
contaminated with the virus. This vaccine has been used for travel to endemic areas for over 10 years.
- Gardasil (HPV vaccine) - this vaccine protects females from the most common
types of human papillomaviruses. These viral infections result in genital warts and cervical cancer.
The vaccine is given in 3 doses.
Other vaccine products are becoming available with each passing year.
Our table lists only those vaccines currently recommended
for all children by the
American Academy of Pediatrics and the
Centers for Disease Control.
Some of our screening tests require nothing more than a questionnaire. Others require skin
or blood tests. Your physician or nurse practitioner will discuss these with you at the time
of the visit.
We at All Star Pediatrics strongly believe in the importance of immunizations and their role
in the health of children. We follow the recommended schedule of immunizations as established by the
American Academy of Pediatrics.
In recent years, there has been much discussion in the media
and on the Internet regarding vaccinations. Please use the following websites as true and validated
sources of information on vaccines, their safety, and their benefits in the prevention of many
childhood illnesses.
As well, the same Vaccine Information Sheets that you will receive at your child's first visit
can be accessed through the Internet. The Vaccine Information Sheets are helpful handouts provided
by the government which describe each vaccine, the benefits and possible side effects, as well as
the most commonly asked questions regarding each vaccine. These handouts can be accessed at:
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