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Immunizations

Immunization Schedule, 0-6 years (PDF)
Immunization Schedule, 7-18 years (PDF)

Vaccine Policy Statement
We firmly believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives. 

We firmly believe in the safety of our vaccines. 

We firmly believe that all children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). 

We firmly believe, based on all available literature, evidence and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities. 

We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting intervention we perform as health care providers, and that you can perform as parents/caregivers. 

Vaccines are so effective at preventing illness that most parents have never seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis or even chickenpox, or known a friend or family member whose child died of one of these diseases.  Unfortunately, such success can make us complacent about vaccinating.  But such an attitude, if it becomes widespread, can lead to tragic results and the reemergence of preventable diseases.

We want to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child.  We recognize that the choice may be a very emotional one, and, for some parents, even controversial.  We will do everything we can to convince you that vaccinating according to the schedule is the right thing to do.  However, if you are resolute about your desire not to vaccinate or follow the vaccination schedule recommended by the AAP and the ACIP, we will ask you to find another health care provider who shares your views. 

Please recognize that by not vaccinating you are putting not only your child but other members of our community at unnecessary risk for life-threatening illness and disability, and even death.

As medical professionals, we feel very strongly that vaccinating children on schedule with currently available vaccines is absolutely the right thing to do for all children and young adults.  Thank you for your time in reading this policy, and please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about vaccines with any one of us.

What vaccines does my child need?
Your child needs all of the following immunizations to stay healthy:

• DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough).

• Hepatitis A vaccine in selected areas protects against a serious liver disease.

• Hepatitis B vaccine protects against a virus that causes chronic liver disease and liver cancer.

• Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b (a major cause of spinal meningitis).

• Influenza vaccine is recommended yearly for children older than 6 months with certain risk factors (such as lung, heart, and kidney disease). It is encouraged for all healthy children aged 6 to 23 months.

• MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

• Pneumococcal vaccine offers extra protection against bacterial meningitis and infections of the blood.

• Polio vaccine protects against crippling polio.

• Varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox and its many complications including flesh-eating strep, staph toxic shock, and encephalitis.

Why are immunizations important?

Q: "Why are vaccines needed if the diseases they prevent are not as common anymore?"
A: Vaccines are still needed because the bacteria and viruses that cause these diseases still exist. Vaccines have protected children and continue to protect children from getting these diseases. In the United States many diseases are not as common or widespread as they used to be thanks to better nutrition, less crowded living conditions, better sanitation, antibiotics, and, most importantly, vaccines. Vaccines also are needed to protect children from diseases that may be brought into the United States from people who have visited or are visiting from other countries. Many vaccine-preventable diseases are still common in many parts of the world. Travelers may be carriers of these diseases without them knowing they are infected. Influenza is an example of a disease that is transmitted between countries every year.

Q: "Does my baby need immunizations if I am breastfeeding?"
A: Breastfed babies still need immunizations. While breastfeeding can be considered a baby's first immunization and is the best nutrition for your baby, breastfeeding and immunizations work together to give your baby the best protection against serious illness. Studies show that some immunizations stimulate greater immune response in breastfed babies. Also, it is important to know that you can breastfeed right before and after your baby receives any immunization.

How safe are vaccines?

Q: "Is it safe to immunize a child who has a cold and fever?"
A: A child with a minor illness can safely be immunized. Examples of minor illnesses include the following: low-grade fever (<100.4°F), ear infection, cough, runny nose, or mild diarrhea in an otherwise healthy child.

Q: "I've heard that some children have serious side effects from vaccines. Are vaccines safe for my child?"
A: Vaccines are safe, and severe reactions to vaccines are very rare. Mild reactions to vaccines do occur, but they do not last long. There may be some swelling, redness, and discomfort where the shot was given. Your child may have a low-grade fever and be fussy afterward. Symptoms of more serious reactions are much less common. Call your child's pediatrician right away if your child has a

• Very high fever (>103°F)

• Generalized rash (including hives)

• Large amount of swelling around the shot or in the limb used for the shot

Q: "Does the MMR vaccine cause autism?"
A: MMR does not cause autism. Many research studies have been done to address this issue. There is no scientific link between the MMR vaccine and autism. There may be confusion because autism is often identified in children from 18 to 30 months of age—around the same time the MMR vaccine is given. This has led some people to mistakenly assume the vaccine is the cause of autism. However, increasing evidence shows that autism starts before a baby is born.

Q: "Does the DTaP vaccine cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?"
A: Careful scientific studies have confirmed that the DTaP shot does not cause SIDS. This myth continues because the first dose of the vaccine is given at 2 months of age, and the greatest risk for SIDS is at 1 to 6 months of age. However, there is no link between the DTaP shot and SIDS.

Q: "Is it safe to give more than one immunization at a time?"
A: Many years of experience and careful research have shown that vaccines used for routine childhood immunizations can be given together safely and effectively. Side effects are not increased when multiple vaccines are given together when compared with vaccines given on separate occasions. Infants and children are able to handle the immunizations they receive during the typical well-baby office visit. Talk with your child's pediatrician if you are concerned that your child is scheduled to receive too many vaccines.

Q: "Don't shots hurt? How can I lessen the pain?"
A: Shots do hurt some, and your baby may cry for a few minutes. Your child's pediatrician may suggest ways to reduce the discomfort before and after your child receives his immunizations. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to help relieve some of the more common side effects, such as irritability and fever. Always check the dosage with your child's pediatrician.

Where can I find more information?

Q: "I want to learn more, where can I find more information?"
A: Be sure your information comes from reliable and accurate sources. You cannot trust everything you find on the Internet. Credible sources include

• AAP Childhood Immunization Support Program: http://www.cispimmunize.org

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Immunization Program: http://www.cdc.gov/nip

• Immunization Action Coalition: http://www.immunize.org

• Infectious Diseases Society of America: http://www.idsociety.org

• National Network for Immunization Information: http://www.immunizationinfo.org

• Vaccine Education Center: http://www.vaccine.chop.edu

• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44273151/#.TpZjd095Huc

• You can also call the CDC's National Immunization Information Hotline at

• 800/232-2522 (English)
• 800/232-0233 (Spanish)
• 800/243-7889 (TTY)

Remember
Immunizations are an important part of your child's total health care. Immunize your child on time, and keep your child's immunization record up to date. Make sure you take your child to the pediatrician's office or a health clinic on a regular basis.