Vaccines

Vaccines are the best way to keep your children healthy and safe. Healthy Kidz Pediatrics follows the immunization guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for children and adolescents from their birth to 18 years old.

As we know, infants and children are more likely to be exposed to bacteria and viruses. In order to help their immune system fight against disease-causing organisms, vaccines are the safest and best option. This preventive approach can even help avoid expensive procedures or hospital visits in the future. Thanks to immunization, the number of cases of many communicable diseases has decreased, and some have even been eradicated. 

Some of the most common preventive vaccines that your pediatrician will administer to your child are:

• Influenza (Flu)- The influenza vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months and older.
• Rotavirus vaccine - To prevent rotavirus that can cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines, resulting in watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
• Varicella Vaccine- To prevent chickenpox, which is a highly contagious disease that can cause aches and rashes.
• Polio vaccine- To prevent polio infection that can affect the brain and spinal cord, leading to paralysis.
• PCV13 Vaccine - To fight against the Pneumococcus bacteria that cause a variety of pneumococcal diseases - bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and middle ear infections in young children. 
• Measles (MMR)- To prevent Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
• Hepatitis B (HepB) - To prevent Hepatitis B, an infection that can be spread through blood, semen, and vaginal fluids.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - To prevent Human papillomavirus (HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Hib Vaccine - To prevent Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) that causes pneumonia and various infections throughout the body, including in the bones, brain, and heart.
• DTaP Vaccine- Prevents Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus.

As per the CDC guidelines, the first vaccine will be administered to your child at birth. After that, you will need to take your child for vaccines at regular intervals till the age of 18, as recommended by the pediatrician. It is recommended to give vaccines like the flu shot yearly. 

We at Healthy Kidz Pediatrics believe that immunizations are well-needed for a child while he/she grows up so as to prevent various diseases. However, since we recognize and respect the parents’ role as the ultimate decision-maker for their child’s healthcare, we never make it mandatory for the patients at our practice. Parents of the patients who do not vaccinate should, however, sign a Refusal to Vaccinate form.

Schedule Your Child’s Next Immunization

Contact our office to discuss any concerns you may have about immunizations or to schedule your child’s well visit.