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One of the best ways to protect your child's health is with
immunizations, which also are called shots. A child who has not
been adequately immunized may suffer from illnesses, a lifetime
of disability or even death. If your child has not had the recommended
immunizations, call your doctor or local health department to make
an appointment right away.
Each time you take your child to the doctor or clinic for shots,
have the doctor or nurse write the date (month, day and year) of
each immunization on your child's immunization record card.
Keep the immunization record throughout your child's life.
It will be needed for your child's participation in day care,
school, sports and other activities.
The following childhood immunizations are recommended by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
Age |
Shots |
Birth - 2 Months |
Hepatitis B (Hep B) |
1 - 4 Months |
Hep B |
2 Months |
Diphtheria, Tetanus & acellular Pertussis (DTaP), Polio (IPV), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) , Rotavirus |
4 Months |
DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus |
6 Months |
DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus |
| 6 -18 Months |
Hep B, IPV |
| 6 months–59 months |
Influenza (flu) |
12 - 15 Months |
Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR), Hib, PCV, Varicella (chickenpox) |
12 - 23 Months |
Hepatitis A (Hep A) |
15 - 18 Months |
DTaP |
4 - 6 Years |
DTaP, IPV, MMR, Varicella |
11 - 12 Years |
Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap), Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)*, Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) |
* if vaccine not given at 11-12 years of age, should be given by age 15 or before entering high school
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Links:
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Parents Guide to Immunizations
American Academy of Pediatrics
Immunization Information for Parents, Including the Current Recommended
Immunization Schedule
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Information about Vaccine for
Children's Plus Program
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