Childhood & Adult Immunizations

The Basics Infants and Children Immunization Schedule Adults and Teens...the Shots You Need Where to Get Your Immunizations

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Immunizations aren't on anyone's list of fun things to do, but they immediately come to mind when you remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

It's been estimated that for every $1 we spend on vaccinations, we save $10 in later health care costs (National Academy of Sciences).

Before modern vaccines were widely available, common infectious diseases left people deaf, blind, brain-damaged, or dead. Today, vaccines have totally eradicated smallpox, and have nearly eradicated polio, diphtheria, and Hib infections.

80% of all shots are due within the first two years of life.

As parents, it's our responsibility to see that our children are fully protected. As adults, it's our job to get our seasonal shots and our boosters -- and not tempt the fates.

Miss a shot? It's very important to get shots on time, but if your child falls behind in his or her vaccination series, it's not necessary to start all over. Call you doctor's office or clinic to learn how you can get back on schedule. Note: It's OK for your child to get shots if he or she has a head cold or other minor illness. International Travelers For health advice (including immunization recommendations/requirements) for destinations around the world, call the Centers for Disease Control -- 404-332-4555 -- and follow the message prompts. Note: Arrange to begin your shots at least two months before your trip.

"More vaccines are in the trial stage. In the next 10 years, we'll see many combination vaccines, so kids won't have to get so many individual shots." - Ed Marcuse, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington When shots aren't kept up to date… New outbreaks of diseases can take hold. Several years ago, a measles epidemic struck 55,000 Americans, and led to 11,000 hospitalizations and over 130 deaths.

The Basics

Childhood/Booster Vaccines Prevent… Polio Measles Mumps Rubella (German Measles) Diphtheria Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Tetanus Hepatitis B Chickenpox Hib Disease (Haemophilus influenzae type b -- the most common cause of spinal meningitis)

Polio Serious cases cause paralysis of the chest, arms, and legs -- and can lead to death. There is no cure for polio. Measles Highly contagious. Causes rash, high fever, and cough that can last for one or two weeks. Often causes ear infections and pneumonia. Can cause encephalitis that leads to convulsions, deafness, or mental retardation. ...About Measles Mumps Causes fever, headache, and inflammation of the salivary glands. Can turn into meningitis and sometimes cause encephalitis. Can result in permanent hearing loss and damage to the testicles.

Rubella (German Measles) Cause mild fever for 24 hours, and a face and neck rash that lasts for several days. If it occurs during pregnancy, there is an 80% chance it will cause birth defects. Diphtheria Easily spread through coughing or sneezing. Causes sore throat, skin infection, a mild fever, and chills. Can interfere with swallowing and cause suffocation. Untreated, it can lead to paralysis or heart failure. Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Highly contagious. Causes severe spells of coughing. Complications can include pneumonia, convulsions, or encephalitis. Tetanus (Lockjaw) Enters the body through a wound. Causes headache; stiffness in jaw and neck; and muscle spasms in the jaw, neck, arms, legs, and abdomen. May require intensive hospital care. At least 30% of Americans who get tetanus die. Hib Disease (Haemphilus influenzae type b) Strikes one out of every 200 (non-vaccinated) American kids before age five. Very serious in infants under 12 months. Causes pneumonia; and infections of the blood, joints, bones, soft tissues, throat, and the covering of the heart. Can cause meningitis and result in permanent brain damage. It is a common cause of ear infections in kids under seven. Hepatitis A This infection causes liver inflammation, which causes fever, chills, abdominal pain, and jaundice. It is usually caught through contaminated food and/or water. Hepatitis B This infection (especially if it occurs early in life) can lead to chronic liver disease and a rare form of cancer. It is usually caught from contact with blood and body fluids (i.e., sex and dirty needles). Chickenpox (Varicella) Causes mild fever, headaches, chills, and a skin rash that forms up to 500 itchy blisters. Can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, and to shingles in later life. The average child with chickenpox misses nine days of school; parents miss work. Strep infections of the blisters can prove fatal. For more information on vaccines in general download: Understanding Vaccines. A booklet from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Infants and Children...
American Academy of Pediatrics immunization schedule

	DTP	POLIO	MMR	Hep B	Hib	Td	Var
Birth to 2 months
2 months					1
1 to 4 months
4 months					1
6 months					1
6 to 18 months
12 to 15 months					1
12 to 18 months	2
4 to 6 years	2
4 to 6 years or 11 to 12 years
11 to 12 years				3			4
11 to 16 years						5

¹ Schedule depends on which vaccine is used.
² DTaP, a slightly different formula of the DTP vaccine, can be substituted after 15 months.
³ 3-dose series for those not previously vaccinated.
⁴ Two doses for children who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
⁵ This shot should be given every 10 years thereafter.

DTP = diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
Hep B = hepatitis B
Hib = Haemophilus influenzae type b
Td = tetanus and diphtheria
Var = varicella (chickenpox)

Adults & Teens...
The Shots You Need

Flu
People who should get a flu shot include health care workers; people who work with the public or who work with kids; seniors; and people with chronic medical problems. However, anyone who wants to avoid one to two weeks of illness is an excellent candidate for the shot. Late October to early November is the best time to get your annual flu shot.

Pneumonia
If you're over 50, if you have a chronic illness, and/or if you have a weakened immune system, you should get a one-time pneumonia shot. (Get it when you get your flu shot.)

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (German Measles) (MMR)
Women of childbearing age should be sure they've either had these three diseases or the recommended shots. Coming down with any of these diseases while pregnant can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects. Wait at least three months after your MMR shot before becoming pregnant. One MMR shot is recommended for adults born in 1957 or later if they've not yet been immunized.

Chickenpox (Varicella)
If you are 13 or older, and have not had the chickenpox, two shots (one to two months apart) are recommended.
Note: Adults who catch "childhood diseases" like chickenpox, measles, mumps or rubella are at higher risk for complications.

Tetanus, Diphtheria
You need a booster shot every 10 years. "Mid-decade" birthdays (45, 55, etc.) are good times for these. If you have a puncture wound or a serious crushing tissue injury, get a tetanus shot if you haven't had one within five years.

Hepatitis A, B
Health care and public service workers (who are exposed to feces and/or sewage), and world travelers (who are exposed to feces-contaminated food and water) should consider getting the hepatitis A vaccine. Health care and public service workers who are exposed to blood, patients who receive blood products, people who use injectable (illegal) drugs, and people who are "sexually active" should get the series of three hepatitis B shots.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control; National Coalition for Adult Immunization

Where to Get Your Immunizations

• Your doctor's office.
• Your local hospital (special "clinics" and "fairs" for seasonal flu and pneumonia shots).
• Your county health department.
• Your local "travel medicine" clinic. (Ask your health department for names of clinics in your area.)