DTaP - The DTaP shot protects against 3 different illnesses. These include Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (whooping cough). All three diseases cause breathing problems which can lead to death. The "a" stands for acellular, and this newer formulation of vaccine does not cause the fever and fussiness that the older vaccine would cause. This is a series of 5 shots.

Haemophilus Influenza B (HIB) - This vaccine protects against a type of bacteria which is one of the causes of meningitis and life threatening throat infections in young children. This is a series of 3 shots.

Hepatitis B - Hepatitis B is a virus that causes chronic liver disease and liver cancer. It is a series of 3 vaccines.

IPV - This vaccination protects against polio disease, which causes paralysis and death. The inactivated polio vaccination is now routinely given in the United States immunization schedule. Although the polio drink is more effective, it is no longer given in the U.S. because there has not been an outbreak of polio here since 1979. There is no risk of acquiring polio disease from the inactivated vaccine. This is a series of 4 shots.

Prevnar - This vaccination protects against serious diseases caused by the bacteria Strep pneumoniae. These include meningitis, pneumonia, sinus, and ear infections. It is a series of 4 shots beginning at 2 months of age. Side effects are minimal, and include fever, crankiness, and redness at the injection site.

MMR - This vaccine protects against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (German measles). Measles disease causes a rash, but can also cause pneumonia, seizures, and death. Mumps disease causes swollen glands in the jaws, hearing loss, and meningitis. German measles disease causes mild infection in children. However, if an unimmunized pregnant women gets the disease, it causes the fetus to have mental retardation, deafness, and blindness.

Because this a "live-attenuated" vaccine, some children with immune defects cannot be immunized. This is a series of 2 shots.

Side effects commonly seen are fever and or a measles like rash 1-2 weeks after vaccination.

Varicella - his vaccine protects against the chickenpox. Chickenpox disease causes a rash, but can also cause pneumonia, brain damage, and death.

The vaccine has significantly reduced the number of cases and severity of chickenpox disease since its introduction in 1995. The vaccine is given at the age of 12 months and repeated at the age of 3 to 4. It is required for school entry at any age in the State of Texas. So, if you have a child born before 1995 who has not had chickenpox, he will also need to be vaccinated.

Hepatitis A - This is a vaccine which protects your child from a virus which can cause severe liver damage. The virus is spread by close personal contact and can also be found on food products. The vaccine is a two part vaccine, and doses are usually given at 12 months and 18 months.

RotaTeq - This is a vaccine that prevents against a virus which can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration in young infants. This infection is one of the leading causes of death in young infants around the world. The vaccine is given by mouth at the ages of 2, 4, and 6 months.

Menactra - This is a vaccine that is usually given to adolescents before they enter college. It protects against a type of meningitis which can cause severe illness or even death.

Boostrix - This is a vaccine that is given to adolescents around the age of 11 to 12. It protects them from tetanus as well as pertussis (whooping cough).

Gardasil - This is a vaccine which protects girls and young women from the Human Papilloma Virus, a virus that can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended in girls and young women ages 9 to 26 years of age. It is a series of three shots.

Influenza - This is a vaccine that protects against influenza. It is usually administered starting in early October and can be given to children as young as 6 months. There are several types of immunization against influenza, so ask your provider which is best for your child.

For more information on vaccines, please consider the following links:
Baby 411 by Dr. Ari Brown
Vaccine Q&A (excerpt from Baby 411)

Center for Disease Control

www.cdc.gov/vaccines

American Academy of Pediatrics
www.cispimmunize.org
www.aap.org