BRIEF VACCINE DESCRIPTION
You will receive comprehensive vaccine information in the office. This is a brief description of the routine vaccinations.
Hep B = Hepatitis B Vaccine - prevents a viral illness that causes liver inflammation, liver failure, chronic liver inflammation, liver cancer or death.
DTaP = Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccine- prevents the bacterial illnesses diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. All three can be deadly. Pertussis is still prevalent in the United States and is most severe in the first 12 months of life.
IPV = Injected Polio Vaccine - prevents a virus that can cause paralysis or death. The polio vaccine developed in the 1950s has led to near complete eradication of this disease in the United States though rare outbreaks still occur in unvaccinated populations. World-wide, polio is still prevalent is areas with inadequate vaccination rates.
PCV = Pneumococcal Vaccine - prevents a bacterial illness that causes meningitis, blood infections, pneumonia or death. It is currently the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years old.
HiB = Haemophilus influenza B Vaccine - prevents a bacterial illness that used to be the most common cause of meningitis in young children. It was also a major cause of blood infections and deafness. Thanks to the success of the vaccine, it is a rare infection in the United States.
Oral ROTA = Rotavirus Vaccine - prevents a viral cause of vomiting and diarrhea which leads to the hospitalization of many children in the United States each year. Rarely, it can cause death.
HEP A = Hepatitis A Vaccine - prevents a food- and water-borne virus which causes liver inflammation or death. The disease is usually more severe in older teens and adults but is commonly spread by younger children.
MMR = Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine - prevents the viral illnesses measles, mumps and rubella, also known as German measles. Measles and mumps can be severe and sometimes deadly. Rubella is a mild illness but causes devastating birth defects if a mother contracts it early in pregnancy.
VARICELLA = Chicken Pox Vaccine - prevents chicken pox virus including the complications of scarring, skin infections, brain inflammation and rare cases of death. Two doses of vaccine provide long-lasting immunity and prevent a week or more of illness during which children feel terrible and need to be kept away from other kids.
MMR-V = Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Vaccine - A combination of MMR and Varicella vaccines used for children 4-6 years old.
MCV = Meningococcal Vaccine - prevents bacterial meningitis most often occurring in teens and young adults. This infection is uncommon but severe and rapidly progressive when it occurs. It is often deadly, despite treatment. The vaccine is required for admission into most colleges.
HPV = Human Papillomavirus Vaccine - prevents a viral infection that causes cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine decreases the risk of cervical cancer by up to 80%.
WCC = Well Child Check.
Immunizations save lives!