NEWS

Is your child up-to-date on his or her immunizations? Scheduling an appointment with your Medfield and Weston, MA, pediatricians at Pediatric Associates of Wellesley will help your son or daughter avoid many potentially devastating illnesses.

Why immunizations are important

Immunizations protect your child from getting sick or reduce the severity of the illness. Whooping cough, measles, chickenpox, and other illnesses common during childhood can be much more than minor annoyances. Lifelong health consequences, including vision problems, deafness, and brain damage, may occur if children become ill. Even children who have mild cases of childhood diseases can be quite uncomfortable.

Immunizations not only protect your child but reduce the spread of illnesses through the Medfield and Weston, MA, communities. Vaccinating the majority of children protects babies who are too young for immunizations and people in the community who can't have immunizations for health reasons.

Like many parents, you may be worried about immunization side effects. Most children only experience mild side effects, which may include injection site pain, mild fever, rash, or crankiness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders.

When your child should receive immunizations

Immunizations are recommended at specific times during the development of your child's immune system. The immunizations are usually provided at these ages:

  • Rotavirus: 2 and 4 months
  • Polio: 2 and 4 months, 6 - 18 months, 4 - 6 years
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis: 2, 4, and 6 months, 15 - 18 months, 4 - 6 years, 11 - 12 years
  • Measles, mumps, and rubella: 12 - 15 months, 4 - 6 years
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B: 2 months, 4 months, 12 - 15 months
  • Varicella: 12- 15 months, 4 -6 years
  • Pneumococcal conjugate: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 - 15 months
  • Hepatitis A: 12 - 23 months, then 6 months later
  • Influenza: Every year for children 6 months and older
  • Meningococcal conjugate: 11 - 12 years, 16 years
  • Meningococcal B: 16 - 18 years
  • Human papillomavirus: 11 - 12 years, then another dose 6 months later.

Does your child need a few immunizations? Schedule an appointment with the Medfield or Weston, MA, office of Pediatric Associates of Wellesley. Call (508) 359-9200 to make an appointment at the Medfield office or (781) 736-0040 for the Weston office.