Vaccines are medical injections that protect your child from getting sick from a contagious disease. Vaccines work by training the body to fight off infections faster.
Vaccines contain a small amount of dead or weakened germs or a small piece of the germ, such as a protein or a piece of its genetic material. When injected into the body, the immune system recognizes the vaccine as a foreign substance and develops antibodies against it.
There are many types of vaccines available for children to protect them from contagious diseases. The types available at the Children's Clinic include:
DTaP protects against bacterial infections from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Hepatitis A and B vaccines protect against viruses that cause liver inflammation (hepatitis).
Hib is a bacterium that can cause meningitis, epiglottis, pneumonia, or other serious infections.
HPV is a virus that results in skin infections or various types of cancer like cervical cancer.
The influenza vaccine may protect your child from developing serious symptoms if they contract the flu. The team gives the flu vaccine every year.
Meningococcal bacteria live on the lining of the nose and throat. These bacteria may enter the bloodstream and cause severe illness.
The MMR vaccine protects against viral infections from measles, mumps, and rubella.
Pneumococcus bacteria cause serious infections in children.
Polio is a highly contagious virus that causes a wide range of symptoms. In some cases, the virus can infect the brain and spinal cord and cause paralysis.
Rotavirus infects the intestines and may cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Varicella is a highly contagious virus that causes a skin infection.
The COVID-19 vaccine may prevent serious symptoms from the viral infection.
The team at the Children's Clinic provides vaccines according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination schedule. Children receive vaccines at:
The team provides vaccines at newborn care and well-child visits and can administer follow-up doses at quick vaccine-only appointments where you do not need to see a provider.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children receive a combination of vaccines — rather than one single vaccine — when possible. That reduces the number of injections your child needs.
For more information about vaccines for your child, call the Children's Clinic, or request an appointment with the team of pediatric experts online today.