Hop to it! : childhood and adolescent immunization schedule

HOPto IT!
Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

Common Questions About Immunization & Childhood Diseases

What Are Immunizations? 4Immunizations, also called vaccinations or
shots, are a form of medicine made to protect people against many preventable diseases. These medicines are usually given by injection (shot). If your child is not properly immunized and gets one of these diseases, severe illness may result, which can cripple or even cause the death of your child.
When To Immunize? 4Children begin vaccinations at birth. Children
will need several vaccinations during their first 12-18 months of life and at different times for the rest of their lives.
Where Can My Child Be Immunized? 4Call your health care provider's office or local
public health clinic to find out the time and place to get your child immunized.
How Do I Pay For Immunizations? 4Many health insurance plans, including
Medicaid and PeachCare, cover the cost of immunizations. If your health insurance plan
does not cover immunizations, check to see if your health care provider offers the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. VFC is a federally funded program that provides vaccines to local doctors

and public health clinics for children who meet required guidelines.
Why Immunize Your Child? 4Immunizing your child will help protect him/
her from these harmful diseases: Hepatitis B Hepatitis A Diphtheria Tetanus (lockjaw) Pertussis (whooping cough) H. influenza type b disease (Hib) Polio Measles Mumps Rubella (German measles) Varicella zoster (chickenpox) Pneumococcal disease Influenza ("flu") Meningococcal disease Rotavirus disease Human papillomavirus (HPV) 4These diseases can result in breathing problems, liver, lung and brain damage, heart problems, blindness, deafness, cancer and even death. All of these diseases, except tetanus, are spread from person to person. Child care centers, schools and colleges require students to be up-to-date with their vaccinations.

Where Can I Find A Record Of My Child's Immunizations? 4Contact your health care provider. Georgia
providers submit immunization records to the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS). GRITS maintains immunization records in a computer database, regardless of when or where in Georgia the shots were administered.
Who Should Be Immunized? 4Every child should be fully immunized. 4Immunizing your children will protect
them against harmful diseases. (See the immunization schedule for a complete list of recommended vaccinations.)
Are Immunizations Safe? 4The risk of getting a disease by not being
vaccinated is far greater than the chance of problems from the vaccine itself. It is important to remember that all vaccines are tested many times to ensure they are safe for your child.
Are There Any Common Side Effects To Immunizations? 4Common side effects may include a slight
fever or redness, tenderness and swelling

at the site of vaccination for a day or two. These side effects are mild and may not appear with each immunization. You should discuss any health concerns you may have with your doctor or public health clinic staff. 4If you feel your child has had an unusual or severe side effect to an immunization, contact your health care provider for immediate evaluation and attention, and request they file a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) report at 1-800-822-7967.
Can My Child Be Immunized Even If He/She Is Sick? 4A minor illness should not prevent your child
from being immunized. Talk to your doctor or public health clinic.
What If My Child Misses Some of His/Her Immunizations? 4You should never skip a scheduled
immunization appointment for your child. But if you do miss an immunization, your doctor or health care clinic can put your child on a "catch-up" schedule. Always keep an up-todate immunization record for your child. Ask your doctor or public health clinic to review your child's record at each visit and to tell you when the next vaccination is needed.

Form 3116 (Rev. 4.14.17)

How To Keep On Track!
4Begin your child's immunizations on time. Hepatitis B can be given at birth and other vaccines start at 6 weeks of age.
4Never miss a chance to get your child immunized. 4Have your doctor or nurse review, update and enter each immunization given into the Georgia Registry
of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS). 4Keep a record of your child's immunizations and take it with you when you visit your doctor or public
health clinic. 4If you do not have a record, ask your provider to check GRITS. 4Mark the due date of your child's next vaccination and stay on schedule. 4Talk with your doctor or nurse about each vaccine. Don't be afraid to ask questions. 4Be careful to review all vaccine facts that you receive before your child is immunized.
When to Immunize (Vaccines are listed by the age and age range they are to be given)

How To Comfort Your Child.
4Stay Calm Your child can sense if you are nervous or upset. 4Talk Quietly Speak in a soothing, quiet voice to comfort
your child. 4Hold Your Child Being close to you will comfort your
child. 4Preoccupy Your Child Try to distract your child with
other things such as singing or playing a game. 4Bring a Toy A toy or special item from home can help
calm your child. 4Allow Your Child To Cry It's a normal response. 4Be Truthful Don't tell your child it won't hurt.

*Each frog equals one dose.

Age Bir th

Hep B (Hepatitis B)

DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Per tussis)

Hib (Haemophilus
influenza type B)

Polio

1 Month

2 Months

4 Months
1
6 Months

12-18 Months 19-23 Months 24-47 Months
4-6 Years

15-18 months
Catch-Up3

12-15 months

Catch-Up3 (to 5 years)

Catch-Up3

7-10 Years 11-12 Years

Catch-Up3

Catch-Up3
4

13-14 Years 15 Years
16-18 Years

Catch-Up3, 4 (Tdap/Td)

Catch-Up3

PCV (Pneumococcal
Conjugate)
12-15 months
Catch-Up3, 5 (to 5 years)

RV (Rotavirus)
6

MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)

Varicella

Hep A

(Chickenpox) (Hepatitis A)

MCV4

Influenza

(Meningococcal

Conjugate)

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

12-15 months
Catch-Up3
Catch-Up3

12-15 months
Catch-Up3

2 doses

5

Catch-Up3

Catch-Up3
Recommended for children at risk who are 2 years of age and older if not previously
vaccinated.

4
Catch-Up3

2 6 months
18 years (given for each
flu season)

4
2 doses
Catch-Up3

This schedule was adapted from the immunization schedule published by the Immunization Action Coalition and the recommendations approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

1

Your infant may not need a dose of Hib vaccine at

6 months of age depending

on the brand of vaccine

that your health care

provider uses.

2

A child that is younger than 9 years and getting

vaccinated against influenza

for the first time should get

two doses spaced at least

four weeks apart.

3

Vaccinations delayed or missed entirely should be

given as soon as possible.

4

One dose of Tdap, one dose of MCV4, and 2 doses of HPV

is recommended for persons

11-12 years. A booster dose

of MCV4 is recommended at

age 16 years.

5

Children age 2 and older with high-risk health

problems may need

additional doses.

6

Your infant may not need a dose of rotavirus at 6

months depending on

the brand of vaccine your

health care provider uses.

Responsibilities Associated with Immunization Requirements
4Physicians and Public Health Clinics: Knowing the current legal requirements for attendance and accurately completing the certificate Administering immunizations according to the current Recommended Childhood and Adolescent
Immunization Schedule Reporting the occurrence of any diseases listed on the "Notifiable Disease List" Report any adverse event following the administration of a vaccine to VAERS
4Child Care and School: Review the certificates for validity prior to accepting Develop a system for immunization certificate management Have certificates available for inspection and audit by health officials Report the occurrence of any disease listed on the "Notifiable Disease List"

Responsibilities of Parents or Caregivers
4Take your child to a health care provider for check-ups and immunizations at the recommended times 4Review all vaccine facts received before your child is immunized 4Discuss any questions or concerns about vaccines with your child's health care provider 4Keep your child's personal immunization record and take it with you on each visit to the health care
provider to be assessed and updated 4Mark your child's vaccination due date and stay on schedule 4Obtain appropriate certificate for child care and school attendance from your health care provider 4Give a copy of the certificate to each facility your child attends

Required Form for Child Care and School Attendance
4The immunization form you need for your child to attend child care or school in Georgia is called the "Georgia Certificate of Immunization, Form 3231." Your child's immunization record must be reviewed by a Georgia doctor or public health clinic to get the certificate.
4Each facility your child attends should have a copy of the certificate on file. A photocopy is OK. For instance, if your second-grader goes to an after-school program at a private child care center, the school may have the original and the child care facility a photocopy.
4To register for school in Georgia, your child will also need a Form 3300, "Hearing/Vision/Dental Form," a birth certificate, Social Security card and proof of residence.
Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services
4GRITS is a "birth-to-death" web-based registry that keeps track of immunizations and related information for Georgians of all ages (i.e., children, adolescents and adults). The GRITS system includes a comprehensive database of immunization histories to help individuals get the immunizations they need by keeping track of all vaccines they have received so they don't get double or triple doses. GRITS provides important immunization records and forms (i.e., 3231) for keeping track of immunizations.
For more information visit the Georgia Immunization Program website
http://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section or call 404-657-3158.