October 8, 2020
Vaccinations help protect your child from many viruses and serious diseases. Without them, your child is more susceptible to getting sick when around others. Immunizations for children against infectious diseases are especially important before the start of the school year because classrooms increase the risk of catching or transmitting the flu and other sicknesses.
Vaccines Help Build Strong Immune Systems
A doctor for kids offers a wide variety of pediatric services; however, administering vaccines is one of their most important jobs. Vaccines help children’s bodies build immunity against potentially life-threatening diseases. Scientists test vaccines in a number of different ways to ensure that each one is safe and effective for a child to receive at the recommended ages.
Vaccines work by introducing viruses to your body that have been killed or modified so they cannot cause illness; this teaches your child’s body what the viruses look like so their immune system can recognize and attack the virus if they get sick. Immunizations protect children from serious illnesses such as Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Polio, Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. In addition, booster shots, an extra dose of a vaccine, continue to keep immunity levels high enough to offer lifelong resilience against these illnesses.
The immune system protects your child’s body from viruses, parasites, and bacteria that can make them sick, so it is essential to begin building your children’s strength to fight against germs at a young age. Vaccinations should be an annual, essential part of a child’s healthcare, just as yearly physical checkups are.
What Vaccinations Should My Child Receive?
Providing your child with the right vaccination through child immunization clinics at the right time offers strong immunity. Pediatricians administer vaccinations and booster shots according to a well-researched schedule. Between birth and 18 months of age, a child receives vaccinations that include:
- DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis
- IVP: Inactivated Polio Vaccine
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal Vaccine
- HIB: Haemophilus Influenza Type B
- Rotavirus Vaccine
- Influenza Vaccine
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
As a child develops, they may receive other vaccines such as:
- Meningococcal Vaccine
- HPV (Human Papilloma Vaccine)
Schedule Your Child’s Vaccination Today
There is no time to wait to protect your child from preventable diseases during the school year. When you schedule an appointment with Pediatric and Medical Associates (PMA), you will receive more information on the correct vaccines your child should receive. Contact a PMA pediatrician today to learn more!