A good way to ensure your child stays healthy is to make sure they get the proper immunizations at the correct time. Pendleton Family Medicine is here for you and can provide all of the immunizations your child will need. Below is a listing and description of all recommended vaccine’s and immunizations. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your child, please call Pendleton Family Medicine at (541) 276-1700 today!
Hepatitis A and B are contagious liver diseases that can be either “acute” (mild illness lasting a few weeks) or “chronic” (lifelong illness). Symptoms can include fever, nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice. These symptoms usually occur a few months after exposure to the virus. Hepatitis can only be prevented through vaccination.
Rotavirus is a very contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis (infection of the gastrointestinal tract). Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. There are two types of Rotavirus vaccines, RV5 which is given in three doses at the ages of 2 months, 4 months and 6 months, and RV1 which is given in two doses at the ages of 2 months and 4 months.
The DtaP vaccine prevents diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. The symptoms of diphtheria include a thick covering of the back of the throat which can lead to breathing problems, paralysis and heart failure. The symptoms of tetanus can include lock jaw and may have up to a 20% fatality rate. The symptoms of pertussis (whooping cough) include severe coughing fits that make it hard to drink, eat and breathe, sometimes leading to pneumonia and seizures. It is recommended that children get five doses of DtaP vaccination at the following ages; 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months and 4-6 years.
This vaccine prevents multiple serious infections that include meningitis, pneumonia and epiglottitis. These infections are severe and can cause fatality of infants and lifelong complications. The HiB vaccine is usually given in four doses at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and somewhere between 12-15 months.
There are multiple types of pneumococcal diseases and over 90 types of pneumococcal bacteria, like pneumococcal pneumonia, meningitis and bacteremia (blood infections). There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: PCV13 which protects against 13 of these different bacteria and PPSV which protects against 23 of these bacteria. Pneumococcal is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness and death in the United States. The pneumococcal vaccine is usually given in four doses at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and somewhere between 12-15 months.
Most people with polio experience no symptoms but 25% can feel sick, 5% can have meningitis and around 1% experience paralysis. It is recommended that children get 4 doses at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months and 4-6 years.
All of these diseases are contagious through the air. Symptoms of measles include rash, cough, fever, runny nose and can lead to other infections such as pneumonia and ear infections and encephalitis (a brain infection). Symptoms of mumps include fever, muscle pain, loss of appetite, headaches and can lead to deafness and meningitis and infertility in males. Symptoms of rubella include fever and rash. The MMR vaccine is given in two doses; the first between 12-15 months of age and the second 4-6 years of age.
Two doses of chickenpox vaccination can be up to 98% effective against the varicella virus. The symptoms include an itchy rash with blisters that spread all over the body. Once receiving the virus, a person could then develop shingles later in their life which causes extreme pain. Most children who get the varicella virus will never experience chickenpox. It is recommended that children get the varicella vaccine in two doses at the ages between 12-15 months and 4-6 years.
HPV is one of the fastest spreading viruses and is a very common infection. HPV affects the genital region but can lead to cervical, mouth/throat or anal cancer. It is sexually spread and many will have HPV and never know since there aren’t many noticeable symptoms. The HPV vaccine is given in three doses, the first preferably at 11-12 years of age, the second dose 1-2 months after the first dose and the third dose 6 months after the first dose.
The meningococcal vaccine protects against five types of meningococcal diseases. The meningococcus bacteria is carried in the back of the nose and throat sometimes with no signs or symptoms of the disease. However, these bacteria can invade the body causing many illnesses. The two most severe diseases are meningitis and bloodstream infections (bacteremia). It is recommended that this vaccine is given to a child at age 11 years and 16 years.
Vaccinations are crucial for healthy growing of a child. To have your child examined and up to date on immunizations, contact Pendleton Family Medicine in Pendleton, OR today!
(541) 276-6327 