Vaccinations

What vaccines does my child need?

Dr. Nauman provides all CDC recommended vaccinations at age-appropriate checkups. According to the CDC, between birth and the age of 18, children and teens should have the following vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A and B vaccines against liver infections that can eventually cause liver failure.
• Rotavirus vaccine against rotaviral diarrhea that causes overwhelming illness and dehydration in young children.
• DTaP and Tdap vaccines against potentially lethal diseases like whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria in children.
• Hib vaccine against Haemophilus influenza type b infections that are a cause of meningitis, pneumonia, ear infections, and sinusitis.
• Pneumococcal vaccine against bacterial meningitis and blood infections, pneumonia, ear infections, and sinusitis.
• Polio vaccine against a paralyzing disease still very much prevalent all over the world, including the USA.
• Influenza vaccine against influenza virus in the flu season from September to March every year.
• MMR vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella, which are viral diseases with potential life-altering complications.
• Varicella vaccine against chickenpox, a disease that can lead to severe complications like meningitis, encephalitis, cellulitis, and carditis.
• Meningococcal vaccine against meningitis, a severe bacterial infection of the brain membranes.
• HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine against papilloma viral genital warts that can cause cervical cancer.

Why are some of these vaccines still needed if the diseases are not as common anymore?

Many diseases are far less common than they once were, thanks to vaccines. Nonetheless, the viruses and bacteria which cause these illnesses are still around and therefore, children still need protection. If we stop vaccinating, these diseases will have a resurgence. In many countries, vaccine-preventable diseases remain a problem. It’s  essential to protect children should these diseases spread to the United States.

Does the MMR vaccine cause autism?

The MMR vaccine does not and never has caused autism. Numerous research studies have dispelled this misinformation, which may have been fueled by the fact that children with autism are typically diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 30 months, about the same time they receive the MMR vaccine. However, a growing body of scientific research suggests that autism actually begins before birth.

Are flu shots necessary for healthy children?

Yes, getting vaccinated is the most effective method of preventing Influenza type A and B disease which lead to 114,000 people to be hospitalized every year. The younger the child is, the more severe the disease. CDC recommends children 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot between September and March every year.