Vaccination is an important part of keeping children healthy and strengthening their immune systems. Prioritizing routine childhood immunization is one of the lowest-cost and most effective public efforts to improve health, control disease, and extend lifespan. The CDC estimates that vaccination of children born between 1994 and 2021 will prevent 472 million illnesses, up to 30 million hospitalizations, and more than one million deaths, saving nearly $2.2 trillion in total societal costs, including $479 billion in direct costs.
Recommended Vaccinations for Babies and Children
A baby’s immune system takes years to develop, making them more susceptible to infection and heightened symptom severity. Vaccination inoculates babies and children against viruses and infections their immune systems can’t otherwise defend. To protect vulnerable populations, it’s important that eligible patients are vaccinated to build generational herd immunity and decrease disease prevalence.
Information sourced: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
Vaccines accompanied by an * are recommended on a case-by-case basis.
The CDC recommends up to 12 different routine vaccines and vaccine series. However, certain environmental or medical risk factors can impact a child’s immunization eligibility, in which case additional or reduced immunizations may be recommended.
*Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – RSV is a respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms in healthy adults but can be fatal for babies. Babies can become immunized if the birthing person receives the vaccine during pregnancy. The CDC recommends infants whose mothers were not vaccinated during pregnancy receive the vaccine upon birth.
Hepatitis B (HepB) – HepB is a vaccine-preventable liver infection. The CDC recommends infants receive a three-dose vaccine series with the first dose administered within 12 hours of birth.
Rotavirus (RV) – RV is a common gastrointestinal childhood disease. Depending on the brand, the vaccine is administered in two or three doses. The three-dose series includes a shot at six months.
Diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) – DTaP is a combination vaccine that provides protection against three serious bacterial infections. There are five doses in the series and a booster (Tdap) is recommended every ten years.
Haemophilus influenzae bacteria (Hib) – Hib is a life-threatening infection that can lead to serious illness, especially in young children. Depending on the brand, the vaccine is administered in three or four doses. The four-dose series includes an additional shot administered at six months.
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15/ PCV20) – The PCV15 and PCV20 vaccines protect against pneumococcal diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis.
Inactivated poliovirus (IPV) – IPV provides protection against poliovirus, a disabling disease transmitted through water, food, and contact with an infected person.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) – The MMR combination vaccine protects against three highly contagious viral diseases and is often administered with the VAR vaccine.
Varicella (VAR) – The VAR vaccine protects against the varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox), a highly contagious skin infection.
Hepatitis A (Hep A) – Hep A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection. The CDC recommends that the second dose is administered at least six months after the initial dose.
COVID-19 – Depending on the brand, the COVID-19 vaccine is offered in a two-dose or three-dose series. The two-dose series is administered starting at six months with the secondary dose given 4-8 weeks after the initial. The three-dose series is administered starting at six months, with the secondary dose given 3-8 weeks after the initial, and the final dose at least eight weeks after the second dose.
Influenza (flu) – It’s recommended that all eligible patients receive the flu vaccine annually between September and October. It can be administered starting at six months.
Protecting Your Patients Against Disease
While staying on track with the pediatric vaccine schedule is critical for lifelong immunity, some parents may exhibit vaccine hesitancy regarding their infant or child. Physicians can help ease anxiety and guide parents toward reaching well-informed decisions by providing them with evidence-based immunization resources and speaking to them about recommended vaccines. In addition, physicians can also encourage well-child visits, which serve as an opportunity for vaccine administration, reduce administrative burden, and increase physician-patient trust.
At Atlantic Health Partners, we’re here to support your practice’s immunization program so that together, we can improve the health of generations to come.