When it comes to your child, you want the very best. At Wee Care Pediatrics, that’s what we want, too. To make the best possible choices for your child, it’s important to know the facts. Here, we’ll take a look at the reasons why immunization is crucial to maintaining your child’s good health.
The Benefits of Child Vaccines
Every child is different as is their growth throughout each developmental stage. Child immunization helps fortify a child’s immune system against diseases that may otherwise cause severe illness, disability, or death. In addition to preventing illness, vaccines can lead to fewer missed school days and increased participation in extracurricular activities. Learn about the most common vaccinations for children.
Vaccinations for Infants and Children Ages 0-6
Some vaccinations start at birth while others are given on a certain schedule as children age. Take a look at the recommended child vaccines and their role in improving your child’s health.
Vaccines for Children Ages 0 – 15 Months
Children typically receive their first dose of most vaccines within the first 15 months of their life. The CDC recommends the following immunizations for children up to 15 months of age (see child immunization schedule here):
- Rotavirus – Known to cause severe diarrhea in infants in children, rotavirus can lead to acute dehydration. The rotavirus vaccine helps babies and children ward off this infection.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis – Also called DTaP, this vaccine protects your child from diseases like tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria.
- Hepatitis B – Offering the potential for lifelong immunity, the Hepatitis B vaccine helps prevent kids from acquiring this incurable disease.
- Inactivated poliovirus – Polio can cause disabling, chronic illness; the vaccine helps prevent poliovirus in children.
- Pneumococcal conjugate – Created to help prevent infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae, this vaccine prevents serious illness.
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) – This vaccine helps prevent children from acquiring measles, mumps, or rubella, which may otherwise cause severe illness or death.
Childhood Vaccines for Children Ages 15 Months – 6 Years
Once your child reaches four years old, the majority of annual childhood immunizations by your pediatrician are boosters of previously received vaccines. This ensures your child sustains immunity against the diseases being vaccinated against. It is also recommended that your child receive annual influenza vaccines and vaccinations for hepatitis A.
Have Questions? It’s Never Too Late to Discuss Your Child’s Health
We feel that education is the best way to make informed decisions for your child. We invite you to discuss child immunization with your child’s pediatrician as part of your child’s individualized treatment plan. If you’re in the Layton, Roy, Syracuse, or Kaysville areas of Utah, we would love to be a part of your child’s healthy development. Give Wee Care Pediatrics a call today to schedule an appointment!
