Keeping Up with Your Child's Immunization or Vaccination Schedule

Children have been immunized for years against dangerous and deadly diseases. Diseases which at one time claimed hundreds or even thousands of young lives. Many of these dangerous diseases such as polio, diphtheria, and tetanus have been almost completely eliminated. Other diseases, including measles, mumps, and chickenpox have been reduced drastically and are no longer life-threatening to most children. Thanks to the scientists and doctors who have devoted years of research and testing to find these vaccinations, our children are now much more protected against these dangerous predators.

Of course, as parents, it is our responsibility to see that our children receive the proper vaccinations as they are recommended. Don't worry, though, your child's doctor will help you set up a schedule and help keep you on track. Also, schools today require proof of children's vaccinations at different grade levels. So you shouldn't have any problem getting the vaccines at the proper time.

You will still need to keep a written record of your child's vaccinations. Most doctors will provide you with a "shot record" which is a card that you bring with you each time the child receives a vaccination. The doctor records the type of vaccination and the date on your copy as well as on his permanent records. If the doctor does not have any forms or cards, you can print an immunization schedule off the website of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC. Or, if you prefer, you can make your own form or record.

Immunizations for children usually begin at birth with a HepB vaccine which protects the child against hepatitis. At about two months old, the child should receive several vaccinations, including DTaP, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. Other vaccines that will be given at this age are the ones for polio, RV or the Rotavirus, the PCV vaccine, which can prevent a bacterial infection that can lead to meningitis, and the Hib vaccine. These vaccines are usually given in three doses, approximately two months apart.

If your child misses a shot, be sure to talk to your doctor and get back on schedule.

Other vaccinations are scheduled between the six and eighteenth month. Then most children don't need any more until about the time they start school. At that time they usually get booster shots on DTap, the MMR, which is the measles, mumps, and rubella or German measles, polio, and the Varicella or chickenpox vaccine.

The CDC also recommends that children six months and older get flu shots every year.

This may sound like a lot to keep up with, but between your child's doctor, the school, and you, the parent, your child should get all his recommended vaccinations on time. Just don't forget to remind him as he grows up, that some vaccinations need booster shots. For example, the tetanus and diphtheria Td should be taken every ten years.

You can find more information on all the vaccines and the diseases they help protect children from at the CDC website.

Credit: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention