Vaccines are a crucial part of health care, particularly for children. As their bodies and immune systems are still developing, kids can be susceptible to a range of diseases and illnesses. Some of these, like polio, affect young people almost exclusively. Fortunately, when you follow the vaccine schedule set by your family doctor, you can protect them from many of these threats.

A Guide to Childhood Vaccines 

Newborn to Two Months

Within 24 hours of birth, babies should ideally receive their first Hepatitis B vaccine. However, some infants with a low birth weight receive this at one month. Hepatitis B is a liver infection which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Within the next two months, they should also receive shots for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus (RV), and polio (IPV). 

Six to 18 Months

After their first vaccination, children will receive another round of DTaP, Hib, PCV, and RV, repeating every two or three months until they are 15 or 18 months old. Your family doctor should also administer flu shots every year starting at about six months. Between six and 18 months, they’ll also need another round of HepB and IPV. At 15-18 months, another DTaP should be administered. Between 12-15 months they’ll need measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), PCV, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. 

Four to Six Years

Between four to six years, they’ll need another round of boosters for DTaP, MMR, IPV, and chickenpox. Chickenpox is a skin infection which causes severe itching, fatigue, and fever, as well as other symptoms. It can be dangerous and lead to diseases of the brain or bloodstream, hemorrhaging issues, pneumonia, and even death. Measles, mumps, and rubella are somewhat similar, though typically more severe than chickenpox, and can cause problems such as fever, cough, runny nose, pinkeye, and a rash. 

11 to 12 Years

Preteens and teens don’t require as many vaccines but will need some periodically, including the HPV vaccine. This protects against human papillomavirus, which can cause genital warts and certain types of cancer. Family doctors can give this shot to children as young as age nine, although it is typically given around 11 or 12. It requires two shots over a six or 12-month period.  At this age, kids also need a Tdap booster and meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Meningococcal bacteria can cause serious, potentially life-threatening infections. 

The family doctors at MediCenter in Kenai, AK, are some of the area’s most trusted medical providers. From vaccines to urgent care and women’s health, this family medical clinic provides a range of services for patients of all ages and walks of life. Call (907) 283-9118 to schedule an appointment or visit the website to learn more about how they can help you and your family live a healthier life.