Children

Vaccine Descriptions:

• HepB: protects against hepatitis
• DTaP: a combined vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
• Hib: protects against Haemophilus influenzae Type b
• PCV: protects against pneumococcal disease
• Polio: protects against polio, the vaccine is also known as IPV
• RV: protects against infections caused by the Rotavirus
• Influenza: protects against influenza (flu)
• MMR: protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles)
• Varicella: protects against varicella, also known as chickenpox
• HepA: protects against hepatitis A

NOTE: If your children miss a shot, you don’t need to start over, just go back to your doctor for the next shot. The doctor will help you keep your children up-to-date on his or her vaccinations.

* This is the age range in which this vaccine should be given.

** Influenza is a seasonal vaccine. All children ages 6 months through 18 years should receive vaccination during the influenza season each year. If this is the first time for flu vaccine, a child should receive two doses, separated by at least 4 weeks. If a child only receives one dose in the first season, he or she should receive two doses the next season.

***In addition to seasonal influenza vaccine, children also are recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. Children younger than ten years should receive two doses of this vaccine separated by approximately 1 month.

Pre-teens Need Vaccines Too!

 Vaccines are not just for infants. As kids get older, protection provided by some childhood vaccines can begin to wear off. Kids can also develop risks for more diseases as they enter their pre-teen years. Help your child move into adolescence in a healthy way by staying up-to-date on pre-teen vaccines.

Which Vaccines Do Pre-teens Need?

Doctors recommend that all 11- and 12-year-olds get the Tdap and meningococcal vaccines, as well as an influenza ("flu") shot. The Tdap and meningococcal vaccines are each given as single doses. Flu shots should be given each year. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series of 3 shots given over 6 months is recommended for 11- and 12-year-old girls and is also available for boys.

Tdap vaccine

This vaccine prevents three diseases: tetanus (known in the past as "lockjaw"), diphtheria and pertussis ("whooping cough"). The shots that infants and young children receive protect against diseases including these three. But protection against these three diseases begins to wear off as kids get older. For pre-teens and members of other groups, the Tdap vaccine takes the place of what used to be referred to as the "tetanus booster" and has the added benefit of continuing protection against whooping cough, which is very contagious. Whooping cough can not only make pre-teens very sick, but it can be passed on to others, including infants, who can die from it. Pre-teens going to the doctor for a regular check-up at age 11 or 12 years should get a "booster" dose of Tdap.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine

This vaccine protects against meningitis and blood stream infections. Meningococcal disease can become deadly in 48 hours or less. Even with treatment, people die in about 10% of cases. About 20% of survivors have a long-term disability such as deafness, brain damage, or an amputated arm or leg.

HPV vaccine (also known as the "cervical cancer vaccine")

HPV is a virus. This vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts. There are 2 vaccines licensed by the FDA; both prevent cervical cancer in females and one also prevents genital warts in males and females.

When Should Pre-teens Be Vaccinated?

Doctors and nurses can give pre-teens doses of all of these vaccines during their 11- or 12-year-old check-up. If your child did not get vaccinated at age 11 or 12, ask your child’s doctor about getting the vaccines now.  If you are not sure that your child was fully vaccinated with all recommended doses, you should also check with the doctor.