They have saved millions of children and adults throughout the world from developing meningitis, encephalitis, brain damage, severe respiratory problems, poliomyelitis, paralysis, and other severe illnesses, which can require hospitalization or cause death. And to this day, childhood immunization remains a cornerstone of pediatric care and public health. Immunizations are most effective when an entire community participates. In recent years, localized outbreaks of mumps, measles, whooping cough, and polio have occurred in the United States in communities with low vaccination rates. When you immunize your child, you are not only protecting your child from serious disease, but you are also helping to protect your entire family, your friends and your neighbors.

At Pediatric Medical Center we strongly believe in the importance of immunizations and fully support the childhood immunization schedule established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

By 18 months of age, your child will receive the following:

Hepatitis B: 3 Doses
*Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP): 4 Doses
*Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): 3 Doses
*Haemophilus Influenza (HIB): 4 Doses 
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV): 4 Doses
Varicella Vaccine (Chicken Pox): 1 Dose
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): 1 Dose 
Rotavirus (Rotateq): 3 Doses 
Hepatitis A: 2 doses, beginning at 18-24 months of age
*Given as a combined vaccine Pentacel

By the age of 5 years your child will receive these additional vaccines:

A fifth dose of DTaP 
A second dose of MMR 
A fourth dose of IPV
A second dose of Varicella (Chicken Pox) 
    (These are also all required for school entry)

In addition, we highly recommend the following vaccinations:

Influenza Vaccination: 2 doses first year received and 1 dose annually
For Preteen/Teens: 2 doses of Meningococcal Vaccine, 2 or 3 doses of HPV-9 (Gardasil), and 1 dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (TdaP) (Required for middle school)

While we will allow parents to request spacing of vaccines, we do not recommend it. Parents will be responsible for ensuring that their children receive their vaccines in the time required by our practice. If you decline to vaccinate your child, we will ask you to find another pediatrician for your child’s care. We are aware of the concerns about vaccine safety that has been voiced by a very small yet vocal minority. These claims have no scientific or statistical basis. To date, there have been over 30 scientific studies, which have proven, conclusively, that vaccines are safe.