An excellent resource on vaccines for families interested in more information regarding the diseases they prevent and issues related to side effects can be found at the Center for Disease Control's website http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
Prevnar vaccine is a complex one that prevents infections by pneumoccocal bacteria such as meningitis and pneumonia. It has been available for several years. Initially it covered seven strains of Pneumococcal bacteria. In April of 2010, Prevnar 13 was released. It covers 13 strains of the bacteria, as the emergence of new strains has occurred since the inception of Prevnar 7. Alger Pediatrics has switched to Prevnar 13. The CDC is asking that we give a single dose of Prevnar 13 to children up to age 5 who have previously completed the series with Prevnar 7. Newborns and those infants who have started the vaccine process will still get four Prevnar vaccines, and they will complete the series with Prevnar 13.
Influenza vaccine is currently available at Alger Pediatrics. In 2010 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children and adults receive this vaccine. This new recommendation reflects the risk of complication that can occur in younger children and the significant impact on the general health of older children and adolescents. There are 30,000 deaths each year in this country from Influenza, mostly in seniors. Universal vaccination is an attempt to significantly impact this statistic by developing broad immunity in the population.
The first year a child receives the vaccine, two doses a month apart are required. Additionally all patients with special health concerns such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, cardiologic and neurologic conditions should receive flu vaccine promptly in the September. Influenza is a severe respiratory infection typified by high fevers, chills, prostration, and muscle aches for three to five days. Complications include pneumonia, myositis (inflammation of muscle), and Reye's Syndrome. Aspirin therapy should be avoided if any of these symptoms are present. Please contact our office for Influenza vaccine clinic times in the fall.
Hemophilus Influenza B Vaccine (HIB) Significant supply issues of this vaccine developed in 2007 due to the problems one manufacturer had in its production. There had been a recommendation that the 15 month booster dose not be given temporarily until adequate supply became available from other manufacturers. Progress has been made in supply and as of September 2009 Alger Pediatrics is once again giving 15 month boosters and catching up patients who missed their 15 month booster when they come in for health maintenance exams. Most children who didn't get this booster are under five years of age. If your child missed this vaccine and you wish to get it sooner, please discuss this with us at your next contact with the office.
Meningococcal (Menactra) vaccine is available currently for the prevention of meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis. The initial dose is offered to anyone 11 to 19. In 2012 a second dose has been recommended for anyone who received their first dose prior to the 16th birthday. Subsequently a 2 dose sequence will be recommended with the first dose at 11 and the second at 18. It is highly recommended for those living in dormitory or barracks settings. The Menactra is now covered under the Vaccine For Children Program up to eighteen years of age. Menactra has recently been approved for some children down to two years of age. Children who should receive this at a younger age are those who have significant immune deficiency issues or lack spleens (sickle cell patients and those who have had spleens removed or are born without a spleen).
Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine recommendations have recently changed. Initially this vaccine was a single dose for children under thirteen years of age. This provided an 80% level of protection, meaning approximately 20% of children would be at risk for developing native chicken pox (although in a much milder form). The CDC is now recommending two doses for all patients who have not had the chicken pox natively. Alger Pediatrics is targeting two ages to achieve this. We are giving a second dose either at the five year checkup or to older patients who have not had a second dose at their health maintenance visits.
Rotavirus vaccine is now available for the prevention of the virus that worldwide is responsible for the greatest number of childhood deaths from diarrhea. It is the leading cause of hospitalizations and dehydration in children under three in our country. This vaccine is an oral one, consisting of three doses given at 2,4, and 6 months of age. It is not being offered to children over seven months in that a previous Rotavirus vaccine was associated with a slight increase in the incidence of a condition called intussuception in older children.
Hepatitis A vaccine has been recommended by the CDC and the Academy of Pediatrics for children in the first two years of life. This food borne Hepatitis A virus has seen an increased incidence in the United States as more of our fruits and vegetables are grown in areas where Hepatitis A is endemic. Although Hepatitis A does not cause long term liver problems like other Hepatitis viruses (B and C), the severity of illness that it causes warrants prevention. Two doses of vaccine are given with the initial dose given at one year and the second dose given 6-12 months later. This vaccine has previously been given to travelers going to areas of endemic Hepatitis A. Older individuals should get this vaccine if traveling. Alger Pediatrics offers this vaccine for the routine use in young children as well as for travel.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccines for whooping cough have been limited in the past to children under seven. Over the past decades, whooping cough has found a reservoir in adolescents and adults causing illness typified by chronic cough. This has sustained an infected pool of people who subsequently pass on the organism to young infants in whom the disease is more than just a nuisance. Whooping cough is life threatening for them. A milder form of the pertussis vaccine has now been added to the traditional "tetanus" shot. This vaccine also contains a booster for diphtheria bacteria. It carries the name TdaP. The CDC recommends that adolescents and young adults receive one dose of TdaP if it has been over five years since the last tetanus vaccine during a routine health maintenance exam. It is also to be given when a tetanus booster is indicated due to potential exposure to tetanus bacteria such as a dirty cut in an individual who is five years past their last tetanus vaccine.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine is now available for the prevention of cervical cancer and genital warts . It is recommended for both young women and young men 9 to 26 years of age. It is a three dose series with the second dose two months after the first and the third dose six months after the first. You should check with your insurer regarding coverage (procedure code 90649). For more information you may go to http://www.gardasil.com/. Our staff highly recommends getting this vaccine, even if your daughter or son currently do not have risk for acquiring HPV. In the past year the CDC and the AAP have both endorsed universal vaccination for young women and men. HPV vaccine is now covered under the Vaccine For Children program for patients who qualify for Medicaid or do not have any insurance coverage for vaccines.
In 2010 the CDC recommended male vaccination for HPV. This stems from the link between HPV and oral cancers, genital, and proctologic cancers in males as well as genital warts.