Vaccines for Infants and Toddlers: What you need to know
The first months and years of your child’s life are an important time to protect them against various diseases. Infants and toddlers are especially vulnerable to infections that can be life threatening. Vaccines help your child’s immune system create protection against these infections. Immunity from the vaccine is just as good as immunity from the infection itself, but without causing any illness. It’s also a lot safer! Your CPCMG pediatrician will discuss with you the following vaccines and how they will protect your baby:
- Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine
- Flu vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Pneumoccal (PCV13) vaccine
- Polio (IPV) vaccine
- Rotavirus (RV) vaccine
This vaccination schedule provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention will explain what vaccines your child needs and when. It also describes the disease the vaccines are preventing. Pediatricians know that vaccines work best when they are given to your baby at a certain age to protect them when they most need it. Following the CDC schedule gives your baby the best opportunity to develop this immunity.
The vaccine-preventable infections listed above are caused by very contagious germs. Therefore, most daycares will require your baby to be up to date on their vaccines on in order to attend.
It is important to keep an accurate record of your child’s immunizations. You can find a copy of your child’s current immunizations using your MyChart account. For more information, visit the CPCMG web site page about medical records.
