Hop to it! : immunize every child by two

Immunize Every
Child By Tv,o
NAME OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDER:
ili
DHR
Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health Immunization Program

Common Questions About Immunization And Childhood Diseases
What Are Immunizations?
Immunizations, also called vaccinations or shots, are a form of medicine made to protect people against many diseases that can be prevented . These medicines are
usually given by injection (shot). If your
child is not properly immunized and gets one of these diseases, it can lead to a severe illness which can cripple or even cause the death of your child .
Why Immunize Your Child?
Immunizing your child will protect her from these harmful diseases:
hepatitis B diphtheria tetanus (lockjaw) pertussis (whooping cough) H. influenzae type b disease polio measles mumps rubella (German measles) varicella zoster (chickenpox) pneumococcal disease
These diseases can result in breathing problems, liver, lung and brain damage, heart problems, blindness, deafness, liver cancer and even death. All of these diseases, except tetanus, are spread from person to person. Pre-schools, day care centers and all grade, middle and high schools, college and trade schools require students to be up-to-date with their vaccinations .
Children with weakened imm une systems or chronic diseases, such as asthma and diabetes, or people living with someone who has these problems need
to be up-to-date on all of their immunizations .
Ch ildren with these health problems should also receive influenza vaccine each year and may need an additional type of pneumoccocal vaccine . Hepatitis A vaccine may be recommended for certain children. Check with your health care provider to see if your chi ld is at risk for this disease.

When To Immunize?
Children can begin getting 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?
Call your doctor's office or local health care clinic to find out the time and place to get your child immunized.

Are Immunizations Safe?
No vaccine is fully without risk . The 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?
Yes, common 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 health care clinic staff.
If 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.

How Do I Pay For
Immunizations?
Many 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 health care clinics for children who meet required guidelines.

Who Should Be
Immunized?
Every child should be fully immunized. Immunizing your children will protect them against harmful diseases. (See the immunization schedule for a complete list of required vaccinations.)

Can My Child Be Immunized Even If He Is Sick?
A minor il lness should not prevent your child from being immunized . Consult with your doctor or health care clinic .
What If My Child Misses Some of Her Immunizations?
You should never skip a scheduled immunization visit 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-to-date immunization record for your child . Ask you r doctor or hea lth care clinic to review your child's record at each visit and to tell you when the next vaccination is needed .
DPH02.46HW Form 3116 (Rev. 1-2002)

How To

Begin

Keep
On

your child'....------immunizations on time. Hepatitis B can

be given at birth and

Trac/kv._t ~

other vaccines started at 6 weeks

of age.

Always

Never miss a chance to get your child immunized.

take your

child's immuniza-

K e

lion record with you

a record ~f your

1. when you visit your( child's immuniza-

doctor 0 h~allh

lions. Have your doctor

care c inic.

or nurse review and

Mark the date that your child's vaccination is due

update it after each immunization.
Talk with your

and stay on schedule .
/

Be careful to review all vaccine facts that you receive before your child is immu-
nized.

doctor or nurse about each vaccine. Don't be
afraid to ask questions.

How To Comfort

Your Child .. Hold Your

Stay Calm -
Your child can

Child-
Being close to

sense if you are

you will comfort

nervous or upset. your child .

Talk Quietly - Preoccupy

Speak in a

Your Child-

soothing quiet voice to comfort your child .

Try to distract your child with other things such as singing or

Bring a Toy-

playing a game.

A toy or special item from home can help calm your child .

Allow Your Child To Cry -
It's a normal

Be Truthful -
Don't tell your child it won't hurt.

response .

When To Immunize
Va cci nes are listed by the age and the age range that they are to be g iven .

A

I Hep-B
I (Hepatitis B)
Each frog eqals one dose.

Birth 1 Month 2 Months 4 Months 6 Months

A
Birth-2 months 1
A
1-4 months'

A
6-18 month s1' 8

12



Months









15-18 Months
24 months
4-6 Years
11-12 Years

All child; en l 8
mon ths of age and
older need 3
hepatitis B shots if
they haven 't
already recei ved
them .


13-18 Years

DTaP/Td
!Diphtheria, tetanus and
Pertussis)

Hib
I (H.lnfluenzae l
type bJ

Polio

MMR
!Measles, Mumps and
Rubella)

A AA

A AA

A
A
15-1 8 months1'3

A A

2

6-1 8 months 1

A



12-15

months

1 '

9



















A
12-15 months 1

A
A
This is a Td shot. It does not contain the pertussis vaccine4


A
Children 4 years of age and older
who have not received a
second MMR should do so.


Varicella
(Chickenpox)

Pneumococcal Conjugate
(PCV)

A A

A

A
12-18 months' All children 12 months of age
and older who
have not had chickenpox or
the vaccine need
to be vacc inoted .5

.


A

12-15

months

1 '

9

A
2-5 Years


A
PPV ,, ,o
2 years - adult


: Hepatitis A
I I I
. ,o


Influenza
. 6,10


Check with your doctor or health care clinic with any question! about your imm unization schedule. This schedule was adapted from the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule 2002, approved by The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP}, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

( 1) This is the age range in which the vaccine should be given .
(2) Depending on the brand of
Hib vaccine used for the first and second doses, a dose at six months of age may or may not be needed.
(3) May be given as early as 12
months of age if six months have passed since the last dose.
(4) Td should be given at 11-12
years of age if five years have
passed since the last dose of tetanus. Future doses should be given every 10 years.
(5) Children who are 12 months through 12 years of age will
need to be vaccinated with one
dose. Susceptible children 13 years and older need 2 doses.
(6) Two doses of inactivated
influenza vaccine are recommended for children aged six months to nine years who are receiving the vaccine for the first time. Children in this age group who have previously received influenza vaccine and persons
who are 9 years of age and
older need one dose yearly.
(7) Children who are 2 years of
age and older and have a high risk health problem may need this additional pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) .
(8) Minimum age for this dose is
six calendar months.
(9) The number of doses needed
depends on the age at the time of the first dose. This vaccine is not currently recommended for chi~ dren 5 years of age and older.
(10) These vaccines may be
recommended for children living in high risk areas or who have high risk health problems; check with your health care provider regarding your child's need for vaccines .