Checkups are instrumental in ensuring that your child is growing and developing appropriately. In addition to tracking growth and developmental milestones, checkups are an excellent opportunity to learn what to expect in the month(s)/year to come, and address topics such as potty training/bedwetting, behavior/discipline, sleep, picky eating, exercise and adolescence/puberty. Checkups can sometimes double as sports /school /camp physicals. We see children for checkups as newborns, at months 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, & 18; at years 2, 2 ½, and 3; and yearly thereafter through high school graduation.
Our suggested schedule of immunizations is based on the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Please feel free to read more about our vaccine policy and vaccine frequently asked questions. Below is the schedule with links to information about each vaccine.
Newborn Hep B#1 of 3 (usually done while still in the hospital)
1 Month Hep B#2 of 3
2 Months Pentacel #1 of 4 (DTaP, Hib, Polio), Pneumococcus#1 of 4, Rotavirus#1 of 3
4 Months Pentacel #2 of 4 (DTaP, Hib, Polio), Pneumococcus#2 of 4, Rotavirus#2 of 3
6 Months Pentacel #3 of 4 (DTaP, Hib, Polio), Pneumococcus#3 of 4, Rotavirus#3 of 3
9 Months Hep B #3 of 3
12 Months Hep A#1 of 2, MMR#1 of 2, Chicken Pox#1 of 2
15 Months Pentacel #4 of 4 (DTaP, Hib, Polio), Pneumococcus#4 of 4
18 Months Hep A#2 of 2
4-5 Years Quadracel (DTaP#5 of 5, Polio#4 of 4), MMR#2 of 2, Chicken Pox#2 of 2
11 Years MenA,C,W,Y#1 of 2, HPV#1 of 2**, Tdap#1
16 Years MenA,C,W,Y#2 of 2, MenB#1 of 2***
**HPV (Gardasil™) is a 2-vaccine series for those who receive the first dose prior to turning 15. The second dose is administered 6-12 months after the first. If the first HPV vaccine is given at 15 years or older a 3-vaccine series is followed with #2 of 3 administered 2 months after the 1st, and #3 of 3 administered 4 months after the 2nd. Updated 11/2016.
***MenB (Trumenba™) is a 2-vaccine series. #2 of 2 is administered 6 months after the first. MenB protects against a different strain of meningitis than MenA,C,W,Y (Menactra™).
Those children whose immunizations were postponed due to illness and for certain other reasons may be given make-up immunizations. These can be scheduled at the Three Chopt office Tuesday through Friday from 8:30am – 11:15am and 1:15pm – 4:30pm; and at the Bell Creek office Tuesday through Friday from 8:45am – 11:30am and 1:15pm – 4:15pm. We ask that you call and schedule an appointment for these shots with our daily shot nurse.
There has been much written about vaccines and reactions in the last several years. Much of this information has not been scientifically proven. In fact, most has been scientifically disproven. We have kept abreast of all new information and advances involving vaccines and continue to believe that all children are best served by completing the immunization schedule in a timely fashion.
For more information on vaccines, please refer to the following websites:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/childhood-immunizations#.VTFlLpM0_ps
CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) is one of the worldwide leaders in vaccine research. They have created a great app that teaches parents and children about the diseases vaccines help prevent, the vaccines themselves, and potential side effects. Check it out at vaccine.chop.edu/mobileapp.
UPDATED 3/2017