Your baby will require, by law, certain immunizations for protection against childhood diseases. It is very important for your child that all immunizations be kept current.

DTaP-(Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus)
Most infants and children will have little if any reaction after this inoculation; however, some infants may experience some pain or discomfort beginning 1-2 hours after inoculation and lasting up to 48 hours. Infants can appear irritable, fussy, and at times run a low grade fever. This is perfectly normal and you need not worry.  Acetaminophen may be given to these children to alleviate symptoms.

IPV-(Injectable Polio Vaccine)
This vaccine is successful in making your child immune to polio and generally causes no reactions.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
This injectable immunization protects against these three illnesses. There is no immediate reaction and many of these children will never have a reaction to the shot. Occasionally, a rash, some joint pain, or fever may develop 7 to 10 days after the immunization.  This is short lived and will generally go away quickly.

HIB-(Haemophilus Influenza B)
This injectable vaccine helps to protect against diseases caused by the haemophilus bacterium. The HIB diseases which include spinal meningitis and epiglottis are very serious in nature.  This vaccine is 90% effective in children and is very well tolerated.

PPD-This is not an immunization but a routine skin prick test to see if the child has ever been exposed to TB. (Tuberculosis)

Hep B-(Hepatitis B Vaccine)
This injectable immunization protects your child against the dangerous hepatitis B virus. This virus can damage the liver leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. There are rarely any side effects to the vaccine. Your child can begin this vaccination at any age; the vaccination consists of 3 boosters.

Varivax-(Varicella Zoster-Chicken Pox and Shingles)
This injectable vaccine helps to protect your child against chicken pox. This viral illness predisposes children to develop life threatening illnesses including pneumonia, skin infection, and blood infection. Occasionally, a rash within 1 month near site of injection and/or fevers around 101-102° may develop 1-2 days after the immunization.

Prevnar-Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)  is the leading cause of serious bacterial infection in children today. It has assumed this role during the last decade with the virtual elimination of Hemophilus influenza B (HIB) disease since the introduction of the HIB conjugate vaccine. Prevnar has been shown to help prevent meningitis, pneumonia and blood stream infections due to pneumococcus. It may be of limited benefit in preventing ear infections but is not intended for this purpose.

Since the immunization schedule has varied somewhat over the last several years, we will refrain from printing here a rigid schedule that will probably be revised soon. Immunizations are usually started at one week of age and are essentially completed before school entry at age five. A more detailed schedule will be discussed with you during your baby's first visit.

You will be given printed material to read about each of these vaccinations, and possible side effects, and asked to sign a consent form before each injection is given.