Vaccines
Prevent Sickness
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 part of its genetic material. When injected into the body, the immune system recognizes the vaccine as a foreign substance and develops antibodies against it.
Mothers provide babies with some protection against disease by passing along antibodies during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
For families in Billings, Montana, and the surrounding areas, the experienced board-certified pediatric team at the Children’s Clinic provides vaccines for additional immune support and protection at their West End and downtown clinics. They offer all routine childhood vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine (both for patients and anyone else who has not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19).
Vaccines Q&A
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.
What are the types of vaccines?
There are many types of vaccines available for children to protect them from contagious diseases. The types available at the Children's Clinic include:
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
DTaP protects against bacterial infections from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis A and B vaccines protect against viruses that cause liver inflammation (hepatitis).
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Hib is a bacterium that can cause meningitis, epiglottis, pneumonia, or other serious infections.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is a virus that results in skin infections or various types of cancer like cervical cancer.
Influenza
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
Meningococcal bacteria live on the lining of the nose and throat. These bacteria may enter the bloodstream and cause severe illness.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
The MMR vaccine protects against viral infections from measles, mumps, and rubella.
Pneumococcal
Pneumococcus bacteria cause serious infections in children.
Polio
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
Rotavirus infects the intestines and may cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Varicella (chickenpox)
Varicella is a highly contagious virus that causes a skin infection.
COVID-19 vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine may prevent serious symptoms from the viral infection.
When does my child need vaccines?
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:
- In the hospital
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
- 12 months old
- 15 months old
- 2 years old
- 4-5 years old
- 12 years old
- 16 years old
The team provides vaccines at newborn care and well-child visits. It can also administer follow-up doses at quick vaccine-only appointments where you do not need to see a provider.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children receive a combination of vaccines — rather than one single vaccine — when possible. That reduces the number of injections your child needs.