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Vaccine Recommendations for Newborn Babies

Vaccines are an important part of protecting a child's health. It can be confusing to keep track of which immunizations a child needs and when, but your physician can give you a timetable and explain what each vaccine is for. From time to time, the recommended shots change, but your doctor will be up to date with the information.

  1. Vaccines for Newborns

    • Children are born with their mother's antibodies and get protection from those in the first weeks of life. Typically, the only vaccine given at birth is for hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause mild illness or a serious chronic condition. The booster shot for hepatitis B is given at two months of age, usually. At two months, a baby will also receive the rotavirus vaccine, as well as the DTap (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis,) Heamophilus influenzae type B (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) and inactivated poliovirus (IPV). At 4 months, the exact vaccines are given again. One exception is if an infant had a rare serious reaction, then the options must be discussed with a physician. Often combination vaccines are given to reduce the number of injections a child receives. The combination vaccines don't show any reduction in effectiveness.

    Illnesses Vaccines Prevent

    • Rotavirus is the most prevalent cause of vomiting and diarrhea in children. Diphtheria is a serious illness that causes a thickening at the back of the throat and may result in breathing difficulties, paralysis or heart failure and may be fatal. Tetanus or lockjaw brings on severe muscle tightening, and is fatal in 10 percent of all cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Pertussis or whooping cough is a respiratory infection that can be very serious in infants. Heamophilus influenzae type B is a bacteria responsible for illnesses such as meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis and other serious infections. Pneumococcal bacteria causes meningitis and pneumonia and other serious infections. Polio is a serious illness that can cause paralysis and death.

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