Immunizations For Your Children

By Tanya Phares, DO, MPH

Childhood immunizations are an important part of keeping kids healthy and preventing the spread of disease. Here are several vaccines needed by infants and children:

  • Rotavirus vaccine. Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea, mostly in babies and young children. The vaccine is recommended for all infants. An infant should receive either two or three doses depending on the brand that is used.
  • HIB (Haemophilus influenza type b). Haemophilus influenze type b is a serious disease caused by bacteria. It usually strikes children under age five. The vaccine is for infants and is not recommended routinely after age five. This vaccine requires doses at two, four, six and 12 to 15 months. The number of doses required depends on the type of vaccine.
  • MMR vaccine. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is given to all infants and children. Two doses of this vaccine are needed at 12 to 15 months and four to six years of age.
  • Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. The vaccine is given to all infants and children. Two doses are needed at 12 to 15 months and four to six years. This vaccine is required for day care and for any student attending school in Nevada for the first time who has not had chickenpox. Anyone 13 years and older who has never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine should get two doses of the vaccine at least 28 days apart.
  • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis). Public and private schools require this vaccination for all students entering seventh grade. One adult booster is needed for all other people. This vaccine is recommended every ten years for those people who cannot receive pertussis vaccine.
  • Hepatitis A vaccine. Required for any student attending school in Nevada for the first time. Two doses of this vaccine are required for lasting protection, and the doses should be given at least six months apart. This vaccine is recommended for all travelers, food handlers and day-care providers who pose a risk of spreading the disease to others. It also is recommended for household members of adopted children arriving from some foreign countries.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine. Required for any student attending school in Nevada for the first time. It also is given to any person who might be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids. Three doses of this vaccine are needed at zero, one and six months to complete the series.
  • Prevnar 13 (pneumococcal conjugate) vaccine. Recommended for all children. Four doses of this vaccine are needed at two, four, six and 12-15 months. Prevnar is required for children in day care.

To schedule immunizations, call the Northern Nevada Medical Group Immunization Clinic at 775-355-5000.