CHILD VACCINATIONS
Child Care Information Services (CCIS), Department of Human Services
Amy Switalski, CCIS Director 19 South Washington Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-852-5277 or toll-free at 888-355-CCIS (2247) / Fax: 724-852-5297
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
Vaccinate:
If you have a young child, read this. It will help you keep your child healthy, and it will help answer the ten questions most parents ask about vaccinations.
And remember, vaccination is just one very important part of your child's total health care. Make sure you have a regular doctor or clinic that knows your child and get regular check-ups, even when your child is not sick.
How to Protect your Child from Fatal Diseases:
Why should you get your child vaccinated? Your child needs vaccinations (shots) to protect him or her against very bad diseases. Too many children are catching measles and other dangerous diseases like whooping cough and diphtheria. If your child doesn't get vaccinated at the right times, your child can get very sick and even die.
What can happen if you don't get your child vaccinated? Without vaccinations, your child can catch diseases that can cause rashes, fevers, coughing, choking, brain damage, heart problems, crippling, deafness and blindness.
Do vaccinations work? Yes. If your child gets the right vaccinations at the right times, you can greatly reduce the chances of getting these diseases.
When should your child get vaccinated? Many parents think that children don't need vaccinations until they are ready to enter school. That's not true.
Children need to get vaccinated when they are babies. Children need most of their vaccinations before they are two years old, starting when they are born.
Preschoolers who are behind on their shots need to get vaccinated to "catch up" and be protected.
Older children and teenagers also need vaccinations. The "Vaccination Schedule" on this page tells you when you should get your child vaccinated. Check with your doctor or clinic to make sure your child is vaccinated on time.
What are the vaccinations that your child needs? Some vaccinations protect against more than one disease. But your child needs ALL of these vaccinations to stay healthy:
M-M-R to protect against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles);
Polio vaccine to protect against polio;
DTP to protect against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough);
Hib vaccine to protect against Haemophilus influenzae type b (a major cause of meningitis); and
Hepatitis B to protect against liver infection (one cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer).
Where should you go to get your child vaccinated? You should get your child vaccinated at your doctor's office, at your community health center, or at your local public or children's health clinic. It's very important for you to have one doctor or clinic where you can go to take care of your child's health needs. If you don't know where to go, call your local public health department or clinic.
How much does it cost for vaccinations? Many states require employers and insurance companies to pay for vaccinations. Check with your employer about this. You can get your child vaccinated even if you don't have insurance or the money to pay for it. At community health centers, children's clinics and public health clinics, you can get your child vaccinated for free or at a very low cost.
Are vaccinations safe? Reactions to the vaccines occur, but they are rarely serious. Remember, the risk in not vaccinating your child is far greater than the risk of a serious reaction.
Do vaccinations hurt? Sometimes they may hurt a little, and your baby will probably cry for a few minutes. But don't worry. Protecting your child's health is worth a few tears.
If your child is old enough to understand, explain that vaccinations help prevent some very bad diseases. If your child is younger, comfort and play with your baby and remember to reward your child after the vaccination.
Who should you call for more information? Always contact your doctor, local public health department or community health center if your child is sick, if you have health care questions, or if you need to know more about vaccinations and your child's health care needs.
Remember, vaccination is an important part of your child's total health care. Vaccinate your child on time. Keep your child's vaccination record up to date. Make sure you have a doctor or health clinic where they know your child. And be sure to get regular check-ups, even when your child is healthy.
Vaccination Schedule:
Ask for a vaccination schedule at your doctor's office or clinic. And make sure your child gets the right vaccinations when he or she needs them. The schedule may change depending on where you live and whether you need to get extra protection against and epidemic. In general, doctors recommend that you get your child regular check-ups and that you take your child to be vaccinated at the following ages:
Birth
1-2 months
4 months
6 months
12-15 months
15-18 months
4-6 years
11-12 years
14-16 years
By the time your child is two years old, he or she should have received the following vaccinations:
1 vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella
4 vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough)
3 vaccinations against polio
3 vaccinations against Hepatitis B
3-4 vaccinations against Haemophilus influenzae B (a major cause of meningitis)
Source: This information provided by the National Immunization Campaign. This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your doctor or your public health clinic. The age at which your child may receive a vaccination can vary depending on medical circumstances.
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
