NEWS

Immunization Schedule

Pediatric Associates of Wellesley follows the immunization guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). For information about these vaccines and the diseases they protect against, please visit http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/immunizations.cfm

For detailed informational sheets published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) please visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/

Our Vaccine Philosophy

Our practice believes that all children should receive the recommended vaccines according to the guidelines provided by the AAP and the CDC.  Regular vaccinations help children ward off infections, and are administered as one of the safest and best methods of disease prevention.

Immunization against childhood infections is one of the most important things you can do to protect your child and your community against serious illness. Many parents are concerned about reactions to these vaccines. The overwhelming evidence is that these medicines are both safe and effective.

Vaccination Reactions

Most children do just fine after receiving these shots. Most reactions are mild and short-lived.  These reactions are the result of your child's healthy immune system - it is acting like the vaccine has caused a small illness. Below, please find a description of the common reactions and some signs and symptoms that should prompt a call to our office.

  • Fever : One-third of children will experience a rectal temperature greater than 100.4 after receiving vaccines. This fever usually begins a few hours to a day after the shots and lasts only a day, but can occasionally last up to three days. Fever is more common after administration of Pediarix, PCV-13,Hib and MMR vaccines. With the MMR and Chicken Pox vaccines, fever begins 5-10 days after the dose. A fever over 105 degrees or one that does not respond to appropriate doses of  acetaminophen or Ibuprofen should prompt a call to our office.
  • Crankiness or Sleepiness :  After receiving vaccines, some babies get cranky and/or sleepy. We have no way of knowing how any individual child will react. These reactions generally resolve within a day or two. Reasons to call our office include continuous, inconsolable crying for three hours, extreme lethargy or seizures.
  • Soreness or Redness : All vaccines can give some soreness or redness at the site of the shot. This can occur in about one-fourth of children. This soreness generally lasts a day or two but can last up to seven days. A cool compress (in babies) or an ice pack (in older children; for no more than five minutes at a time) can be helpful, as can acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Some children develop a little bump or nodule in the muscle where the shot was given, This is called a " sterile abscess" and is usually painless, can last up to six weeks and resolves without any intervention. Redness or soreness is especially common after the third or fourth dose of DTaP, Tdap, or HPV doses.  Please contact our office if the redness increases in size or pain after two days or if there is any pus or other drainage from a shot site.
  • Rash : Rash is more common after Varicella and MMR  vaccines. The rash can occur 1-3 weeks after a dose anywhere on your child's body. The rash may be little bumps or dots. In the case of the Chicken Pox, this rash is a mild case of chicken pox and your child can spread chickenpox to someone who is immunocompromised (e.g. on chemotherapy, has HIV/AIDS or other immunodeficiencies). Please call our office if your child develops itchy hives right after a dose of vaccine.

Recommended Immunization Schedule

  • 0- 18 Years, including Catch up Schedule / 2018

Resources

Vaccine Safety: The Facts Safety facts on vaccines from the AAP

Make sure that your child is visiting our pediatricians regularly to keep up to date on their vaccines. To schedule your child’s next checkup, call Pediatric Associates of Wellesley in Weston, MA at (781) 736-0040 .