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Vaccinations and Immunizations
Vaccinations and Immunizations prevent disease in those who receive them, and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals. Vaccines reduce the risk of infection by working with the body’s natural defenses to help it safely develop immunity to disease.
Today, most children in the United States lead much healthier lives and parents live with much less anxiety and worry over infections during childhood. Immunizations are one of the success stories of modern medicine.
The following 2015 schedules indicate the recommended ages for routine administration of currently licensed vaccines for children and adolescents. Any dose not administered at the recommended age should be administered at a subsequent visit, when indicated and feasible.
Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Ages 0-18 Years 2015 (PDF)
We are sensitive to parents concerns regarding immunizations. Though it is our desire to adhere as closely to the CDC recommended immunization schedule we do offer alternate vaccine schedules and will be happy to discuss them with you at your child’s well child appointment.
Teens and Immunizations
Babies? Of course. Toddlers? Naturally. But parents may not know that immunization is just as important for adolescents.
School-aged kids, including adolescents, should have yearly visits with the pediatrician. No one likes getting shots, but several vaccines are routine during this phase of life and when you understand the diseases they prevent – such as meningitis, certain cancers, tetanus, and whooping cough — most parents are eager to provide this protection for their teens. The hassle of coming in for a visit and having arm pain from vaccination seem pretty minor when compared to the suffering caused by these diseases.