WELL-CHILD CHECKUP AND IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE

The following outlines the typical checkup and immunization schedule. There may be circumstances which call for slightly different administration of vaccines based on vaccine availability, your child’s health or other factors. Your doctor will discuss an immunization schedule for your child. 

Key:

• Hep B = hepatitis B. Protects against bloodborne viral infection of the liver. Total of 3 shots.

• DTaP = diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis. Protects against diphtheria, a bacterial respiratory illness, tetanus, a bacterial infection commonly known as lockjaw, and pertussis, a bacterial infection commonly known as whooping cough. Total of 5 doses.

• IPV = inactivated polio vaccine. Protects against polio, a viral infection which can cause childhood paralysis. Total of 4 doses.

• Hib = Haemophilus influenzae type B. Protects against bacterial infection which can cause pneumonia, meningitis or other invasive infections. Total of 4 doses.

• Pneumo =Pneumococcal = protects against 20 serotypes of pneumococcal bacterial which can cause otitis, pneumonia, meningitis or other invasive infections. Total of 4 doses.

• Rota = rotavirus. Protects against viral gastrointestinal infection causing vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Total of 3 doses by mouth.

• Hep A = hepatitis A. Protects against viral foodborne infection of the liver. Total of 2 doses.

• MMR = measles, mumps, rubella. Protects against childhood viral infections. Total of 2 doses.

• Varicella = chickenpox. Protects against childhood viral infection. Total of 2 doses.

• MMRV = measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Protects against childhood viral infection. (combo vaccine).

• TdaP = tetanus, diptheria and pertussis booster. See DTaP above. Booster every 5-10 years starting at 11 years of age.

• Meningitis ACWY = Meningitis serogroups A, C, W, and Y. Protects against bacterial infection causing meningococcal meningitis. Total of 2 doses

• Meningitis B = Meningitis serogroup B. Protects against bacterial infection causing meningococcal meningitis. Total of 2 or 3 shots depending on interval between doses.

• HPV = human papilloma virus. Protects against sexually transmitted viral infection of the female cervix, male genitalia, or throat known to cause cancer and genital warts. Total of 2 doses if series started before 15 years of age or 3 doses if started over 15.

• Flu = Influenza –  Protects against influenza and reduces the risk of serious infection and  death caused by influenza. First time vaccination under 9 years old requires 2 doses, 4 weeks apart and then annually.  Over 9 years old 1 dose annually.

• COVID = SARS-COVID 19 Pfizer/BioNTech- Protects against SARS-COVID-19 and reduces the risk of serious infection and  death caused by SARS-COVID-19.  Under 5 years old requires 3 doses and then 1 dose annually.  Five and over 1 dose annually.

Complete information on vaccines including frequently asked questions, immunization schedules, effectiveness and safety is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. 

Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Nirsevimab (RSV shot for infants):

• Given first RSV season (Oct-April)

• All infants less than 8 months of age are eligible unless mom received RSV vaccine during pregnancy more than 2 weeks prior to delivery

• Certain high risk populations are eligible for vaccine again during 2nd RSV season

• Reduces risks of severe disease by 80% and hospitalization by 90%

• Not a vaccine but a dose of antibodies specifically against RSV

Monument Avenue Pediatrics Physician Statement on Vaccinations

We strongly believe in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Vaccines save children’s lives and prevent serious life altering illnesses. A conclusive link between developmental delays and the administration of vaccines has never been found. The studied and proven benefits of vaccines outweigh any risks of rare but serious adverse events following vaccine administration.

As more people choose to selectively vaccinate their children, the benefits of herd immunity (when a high percentage of a population is immune to a disease through vaccination) are lessening. Our job is to educate you, the parent or caregiver, on the benefits and risks of vaccines so that you can make the most well-informed decision on behalf of your child. If you choose to decline, delay or use an alternate vaccine schedule, we will ask you to sign an official document stating that you are aware of the risk delaying vaccines poses to your child. We will discuss vaccines at each well-child checkup until your child is completely up to date with the CDC-recommended schedule. Ultimately, we know that you want to make the best decision for your child and we are here to support you.

The Problem With Dr Bob’s Alternative Vaccine Schedule by Paul A. Offit, MD and Charlotte A. Moser, BS. In October 2007, Dr Robert Sears, in response to growing parental concerns about the safety of vaccines, published The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child. Sears includes “Dr Bob’s Alternative Vaccine Schedule,” a formula by which parents can delay, withhold, separate, or space out vaccines. Many parents now insist that their children receive vaccines according to Sears’ schedule, rather than that recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Family Physicians. This article examines the reasons for the popularity of Sears’ book, deconstructs the logic and rationale behind its recommendations and describes how Sears’ misrepresentation of vaccine science misinforms parents trying to make the right decisions for their children.