Vaccine Information
Vaccines play a very important part in the development of your child's immune system. They teach your child's body how to fight infections that can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. The doctors of PHA follow the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine recommendations and feel strongly that vaccinations are a vital part of preventive health care.
All of our vaccines for children under three years of age are thimerisol-free.
While we are committed to vaccinating all PHA patients, we allow some flexibility for some vaccines.
It is important that the DPT, HIB, Polio and Prevnar primary series be completed in the first 6-8 months.
Hepatitis B is usually not a disease of the newborn period and this vaccine series may be postponed.
We do not recommend postponing these vaccines, but are willing to accommodate parents in this regard if all the other vaccines are completed by 8 months.
Parents who elect to postpone any vaccines will be required to sign a "Vaccine Refusal" form. Please keep in mind, however, that Hep B vaccines are required by the state and it may require “extra” office visits and copays to complete the series in a child who is no longer an infant.
The Rotavirus series is optional, but if given, needs to be completed between 2 and 8 months.
The MMR vaccine is recommended at one year. The company no longer makes the individual measles, mumps and rubella components, so separating them is not an option. Delaying the vaccine is not recommended because it delays protecting your child from three potentially dangerous diseases.
Hep A is recommeded in the second year of life. It is currently not required by NYS.
Flu vaccines are recommended for all children 6mos to 18 years of age.
Vaccination for DPT, HIB, Prevnar, Polio and MMR must be completed by two years of age.
If you have decided that you will not give your child any of the childhood vaccines, then clearly our philosophy and yours do not match and you should find a pediatric group more in line with your thinking.
Vaccine Schedule
Children under one year of age will receive the following vaccines: DTP (Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis), HIB (Haemophilus Influenza B), Prevnar (Pneumococcal), Polio (IPV), Hepatitis B (HEP B), Rotavirus
Children between one and two year of age will receive:
MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis A (HEP A), DTP booster (Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis), HIB booster (Haemophilus Influenza B), Prevnar booster (Pneumococcal), Polio booster (IPV)
Children between four and six years of age will receive:
MMR, Varicella, DTP booster (Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis), Polio booster
Children who are 11 year old or older will receive:
TdaP booster (Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis) as required by NYS for all 11 year-olds in 6th grade, Menactra (Meningococcal Vaccine), HPV (Human Papillomaviurs) - for girls, Varicella booster where appropriate.
For more information on the vaccines your child will be receiving, please use the links to the CDC's Vaccine Information Statements (VIS). The VIS will be given to you at every office visit when a vaccine is administered.
Important Links for Vaccine information
Immunization Action Coalitionhttp://www.immunize.org/
1573 Selby Avenue, Ste. 234
St. Paul, MN 55104
E-mail: admin@immunize.org
Tel: (651) 647-9009 Fax: (651) 647-9131
Within the recommended childhood vaccines, some are more important than others. DPT, HIB, Prevnar need to all be given in the first 6 months. If you would like to delay Hepatitis B or Polio, we will work with you, though these vaccines are required by the state and it may take "extra" visits as your child gets older to complete the vaccine series.