Immunizations

There are several vaccines, also called immunizations, which your baby’s doctor will talk with you about. There are a few more than we list below to think about when your baby is older. These are the vaccines to think about as soon as your baby is born, to prevent serious diseases.

Hepatitis B Immunization

Hepatitis B is a serious infection that damages your liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It can also cause liver cancer and cirrhosis.
You can easily get hepatitis B by touching the blood or other body fluids of someone who has it. The virus can live on things for up to 7 days. So, you can also get it from touching an object that was touched by someone with hepatitis B.
The vaccine gives you long-term protection from hepatitis B infection
3 doses of the vaccine are required:
- First dose at birth
- Dose #2: 1-2 months of age
- Dose #3: 6-18 months of age

Some babies may get 4 doses of hepatitis B, for example, if for example, a combination vaccine containing hepatitis B is given to your baby. (This is a single shot with several vaccines in it). The extra dose will not hurt your baby.

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Immunization (DTaP)

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by different bacteria.
Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and even death. You can catch diphtheria from droplets if someone who has it coughs or sneezes near you. You can also get it if you touch something that a person with diphtheria has touched.
Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to “locking” of the jaw so the patient cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus enters the body through cut and wounds.
Pertussis (Whooping cough) is something anyone can get, but is dangerous for babies. It causes coughing spells so bad that it is hard for infants to eat, drink, or breathe. These spells can last for weeks. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death. You can get pertussis if someone who has it coughs or sneezes too close to you.
5 doses of this immunization are required:
Dose #1: 2 months of age
Dose #2: 4 months of age
Dose #3: 6 months of age
Dose #4: 15-18 months of age
Dose #5: 4-6 years of age

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) Immunization

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B disease (Hib) is a serious disease caused by bacteria. They usually strikes children under 5 years old.
Hib diseases include meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings, which can lead to brain damage and deafness. Other Hib diseases are pneumonia, severe swelling of the throat, and infections of the blood, joints, bones, and covering of the heart and possibly death.
Your child can get Hib disease by being around other children or adults who may have the bacteria and not know it. The germs spread from person to person from droplets when a person with the bacteria coughs or sneezes.
3-4 doses of this vaccine are required:
Dose #1: 2 months of age
Dose #2: 4 months of age
Dose #3: 6 months of age**
Dose #4: 12-15 months of age

**Depending on what brand of Hib immunization is used, your child may not need the dose at 6 months of age. Your physician will let you know if this dose is needed.**

Pneumococcal Conjugate Immunization (PCV)

Pneumococcal conjugate (new-mo-cock-ul con-ju-gate) is very a serious disease caused by bacteria. It causes blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis.
Children younger than 2 years of age are at higher risk for serious disease than older children.
There are more than 90 types of pneumococcal bacteria. They can spread from person to person by droplets from coughing or sneezing. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) protects against 13 of these bacteria.
4 doses of this vaccine are required:
Dose #1: 2 months of age
Dose #2: 4 months of age
Dose #3: 6 months of age
Dose #4: 12-15 months of age

Polio Vaccine (IPV)

Polio is a serious disease caused by a virus. It can cause paralysis (can’t move arm or leg), and it can cause meningitis. It can cause death by paralyzing the muscles that help you breathe.
You can get polio if you touch the stool (poop) of a person with the polio virus. You can also get polio if an infected person coughs or sneezes near you.
4 doses of this vaccine are required:
Dose #1: 2 months of age
Dose #2: 4 months of age
Dose #3: 6-18 months of age
Dose #4: 4-6 years of age (booster dose)

Synagis (Palivizumab)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, easily spread virus. In most children, RSV causes moderate to severe cold like symptoms. But for some babies, RSV can lead to a serious lung infection, breathing problems, and hospitalization. Babies born at less than 35 weeks, or born with heart or lung problems, are at higher risk for severe RSV disease.
RSV season usually starts in the fall and continues into the spring (November-April). Your baby willr4 receive 3-6 doses of Synagis. It is given monthly. Your provider will decide if your baby qualifies for Synagis.
Synagis is indicated for the prevention of serious lung infections caused by RSV in children at high risk of RSV disease. Synagis is given as a shot in the thigh muscle.

For a full listing and plan for vaccines for your baby up to 2 years old, visit www.cdc.gov, search for vaccines, and click on “immunization schedules” on the top left side menu, or go to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch-0-6yrs.pdf.

Click for additional information on Immunization schedules

Here

Vaccines (Immunizations) for Babies