Vaccination Update

Learn the latest to protect your child

‘I got it!’—Now that her shot’s over, 5-year-old Julia of Bethlehem is all smiles.

Each year the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates its guidelines for childhood vaccinations. This year, there are two new vaccinations:

Rotavirus—Rotavirus is one of the main causes of severe diarrhea in infants. The CDC now recommends that babies begin the vaccination series at 6-12 weeks of age with the new rotavirus vaccine.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)—This virus is the cause of most cervical cancers. The new vaccine, Gardasil, is most effective before young women become sexually active; it’s recommended for girls and women between ages 9 and 26.

The CDC also has revised its guidelines on:

Chicken pox (varicella)—It’s now recommended that children receive two doses of chicken pox vaccine, the first at 12-15 months and the second at age 4-6 years.

Influenza—All children ages 6 months-5 years who haven’t been previously immunized for influenza should receive two doses of the vaccine. Otherwise, one dose a year is fine.

Want to Know More about the immunization guidelines? Pediatrician Amy Vyas, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, answers your questions at Ask Our Expert. Call 610-402-CARE or click here.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, July-August 2007

ARTICLE TOOLS: