If My Child Is Immunocompromised Or Has A Health Condition Can They Get A Third Shot
A third dose of Pfizer’s vaccine isn’t authorized or recommended for immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11. Additionally, the boosters currently recommended for fully-vaccinated Americans are only for adults age 18 or older. No minor is eligible for a booster.
If your child is at least 12 years old, “moderately or severely” immunocompromised and vaccinated with Pfizer, according to the CDC, they should get a third dose of Pfizer. Moderna is only authorized for people age 18 and older. Examples of people who are immunocompromised include people receiving treatment for cancers in the blood or tumors, organ transplant recipients, stem cell transplant recipients, people with untreated or advanced HIV infection and people taking drugs that could suppress the immune response, per the CDC.
Measles Mumps Rubella And Varicella Vaccine
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently introduced a new measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine to the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario.
Immunization against measles, mumps and rubella is required by law for all children attending school in Ontario, unless exempted. Immunization against varicella is also required for children born in 2010 or later.
What is measles?
Measles can be a serious infection. It causes high fever, cough, rash, runny nose and watery eyes. Measles lasts for one to two weeks. Ear infections or pneumonia can happen in one out of every 10 children with measles. Measles can also be complicated by encephalitis, an infection of the brain, in about one out of every 1,000 children with measles. This may cause brain damage and developmental delays. Measles can also make a pregnant woman have a miscarriage or give birth prematurely.
Measles spreads from person to person very easily and quickly. People can get measles from an infected person coughing or sneezing around them or simply talking to them.
What is mumps?
Mumps can cause very painful, swollen testicles in about one out of four teenage boys or adult men, and painful infection of the ovaries in one out of 20 women. Mumps infection during the first three months of pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage. Mumps can cause deafness in some people.
What is rubella ?
What is varicella ?
Immunisation And Young Children
In the first months of life, a baby might have some protection from infectious diseases that their mother has had or been immunised against. This is known as passive immunity. It occurs when antibodies are transferred from mother to baby during pregnancy. The level of antibody protection for the baby can be low and wears off quickly. This puts them at risk of diseases that can be prevented with vaccination.Most childhood immunisations are given as an injection in the arm or leg, except rotavirus vaccine, which is given by mouth. A vaccination dose may contain a vaccine against one specific disease, or several diseases. This is known as a combination injection, and it helps to reduce the number of injections your child needs.
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Recommended Immunizations For Teens Ages 16 To 18 Years Old
Between the ages of 16 and 18, there is one regularly recommended immunization and one immunization that may be recommended under certain circumstances.
An overview of immunizations for teens ages 16 to 18 years old
- MenACWY The second and final meningococcal vaccine shot is recommended at 16 years old.
- MenB The meningococcal B vaccine is recommended under specific circumstances, specifically if a college or university requires students to have this vaccination, or if a bacterial meningitis outbreak has occurred. The vaccine is given in two doses between the ages of 16 and 18. Once the first dose is given, the timing of the second dose is dependent on the manufacturer of the vaccine.
Why Children Are Vaccinated At Such A Young Age
Children are vaccinated at a very young age because this is when they are most vulnerable to diseases. At this point their immune system is not developed enough to be able to fight serious infections.
The vaccination schedule is based on infants’ ability to create an immune response. Vaccines are given to protect them against 14 serious diseases at a time when they are most at risk.
Medical experts do not advise delaying or spreading out the recommended vaccines. This does not provide any added benefit to your child.
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Meningococcal Serogroup A C W Y Vaccination
Routine vaccination
- 2-dose series at 1112 years, 16 years
Catch-up vaccination
- Age 1315 years: 1 dose now and booster at age 1618 years
- Age 1618 years: 1 dose
Special situations
Anatomic or functional asplenia , HIV infection, persistent complement component deficiency, complement inhibitor use:
- Menveo
- Dose 1 at age 8 weeks: 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6, 12 months
- Dose 1 at age 36 months: 3- or 4- dose series
- Dose 1 at age 723 months: 2-dose series
- Dose 1 at age 24 months or older: 2-dose series at least 8 weeks apart
Travel in countries with hyperendemic or epidemic meningococcal disease, including countries in the African meningitis belt or during the Hajj
- Children age less than 24 months:
- Menveo
- Dose 1 at age 8 weeks: 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6, 12 months
- Dose 1 at age 36 months: 3- or 4- dose series
- Dose 1 at age 723 months: 2-dose series
Are You Planning To Travel
Many vaccine-preventable diseases that have become rare in the United States, such as measles, are still common in other parts of the world. No matter where you plan to go, you should get recommended vaccines to lower your chances for getting and spreading disease.
Infants 6 months to 11 months should have 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine before traveling to another country.
CDC, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend children receive all vaccines according to the recommended vaccine schedule.
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Tetanus Diphtheria And Pertussis Vaccine
Tdap is a three-in-one vaccine. It protects people against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Immunization against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis is required by law for all children attending school in Ontario, unless exempted.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus or lockjaw is a serious disease that can happen if dirt with the tetanus germ gets into a cut in the skin. Tetanus germs are found everywhere, usually in soil, dust and manure. It does not spread from person to person. Tetanus causes cramping of the muscles in the neck, arms, leg and stomach, and painful convulsions which can be severe enough to break bones. Even with early treatment, tetanus kills two out of every 10 people who get it.
What is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a serious disease of the nose, throat and skin. It causes sore throat, fever and chills. It can be complicated by breathing problems, heart failure and nerve damage. Diphtheria kills about one out of every 10 people who get the disease. It is most often passed to others through coughing and sneezing.
What is pertussis?
For more information talk to your health care provider, contact your local Public Health Unit or visit ontario.ca/vaccines.
Some immunizations are required for children to attend school in Ontario. Please see the school immunization checklist for more information.
Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine For Babies
Despite common misconception, the flu vaccine doesn’t actually cause the flu. That’s because most shots are made with inactivated viruses, or they use a single gene from a flu virus , according to the CDC. That said, your baby may experience mild side effects, including low-grade fever, aches, and soreness or redness near the injection site. These symptoms only last a day or two.
Serious allergic reactions are rare. But if your child is experiencing breathing problems, wheezing, hives, dizziness, accelerated heartbeat, or other worrisome symptoms, inform a doctor immediately.
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Managing Fever After Immunisation
Common side effects following immunisation are usually mild and temporary . Specific treatment is not usually required.
There are a number of treatment options that can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including:
- giving extra fluids to drink and not overdressing if there is a fever
- although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended, if pain or fever is present, or baby is crying and unsettled paracetamol can be given check the label for the correct dose or speak with your pharmacist .
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Given At 2 Months 4 Months And 12 Months
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects children against invasive pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia, bacteraemia and meningitis .
What is invasive pneumococcal disease ?
IPD is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called streptococcus pneumoniae . This type of bacteria can cause any of the following:
- pneumonia
- bacteraemia
- meningitis
Pneumococcal infection is also a frequent cause of ear infections .
Pneumonia, bacteraemia and meningitis can sometimes cause death or long lasting complications such as deafness, especially in people with a high-risk medical condition.
Sometimes antibiotics do not work against the pneumococcal infection . Antibiotic resistance occurs when drugs, used to treat the infection, are no longer effective in killing or stopping the growth of particular microorganisms, such as pneumococcal bacteria. When there is antibiotic resistance, it is more difficult to treat the infection.
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Do Young Kids Even Need A Covid
Children remain at low risk of severe COVID-19 disease and death compared with the adult population. But children can experience complications from COVID-19, including long COVID and multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
Kids ages 5 to 11 are also at least as likely to be infected with COVID-19 as adults are, according to data presented at a meeting of FDA advisers — more than 1.9 million children in that age group have been infected since the beginning of the pandemic. According to CDC data from Dec. 1, 199 children ages 5 to 11 have died from COVID-19 in the US.
There are also racial disparities in how sick children get from COVID-19. Children ages 5 to 11 who are Black, Native American or Hispanic are three times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than white children, according to the presentation. Of children ages 5 to 11 hospitalized with COVID-19, about one in three will require an ICU admission.
The pandemic has had other effects on children, including mental and emotional tolls. In mid-October, the AAP, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health, with children from communities of color being disproportionately affected. Given the role that in-person learning plays in a child’s development, the CDC prioritized in-person learning for students this fall, and it has guidance on prevention.
If Your Child Is Missing A Vaccine
Life can get busy and you may not be able to make every vaccination appointment for your child. Your child may also have missed vaccines from your health care provider or their school because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is important to call your health care provider or local public health authority if your child missed receiving any vaccines. They can help your child get back on track with the recommended vaccination schedule. This will help to protect your child from many vaccine-preventable diseases.
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Measles Mumps And Rubella Vaccination
Routine vaccination
- 2-dose series at 1215 months, 46 years
- Dose 2 may be administered as early as 4 weeks after dose 1.
Catch-up vaccination
- Unvaccinated children and adolescents: 2-dose series at least 4 weeks apart
- The maximum age for use of MMRV is 12 years.
Special situations
International travel
- Infants age 611 months: 1 dose before departure revaccinate with 2-dose series at age 1215 months and dose 2 as early as 4 weeks later.
- Unvaccinated children age 12 months or older: 2-dose series at least 4 weeks apart before departure
Concerns About Side Effects Of Immunisation
If a side effect following immunisation is unexpected, persistent or severe or if you are worried about yourself or your child’s condition after a vaccination, see your doctor or immunisation nurse as soon as possible or go directly to a hospital. Immunisation side effects may be reported to SAEFVIC, the Victorian vaccine safety service .
You can discuss with your immunisation provider how to report adverse events in other states or territories.
It is important to seek medical advice if you are unwell, as this may be due to other illness rather than because of the vaccination.
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What Are The Vaccine
Hib vaccine
- This vaccine protects against infection with the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria.
- These bacteria cause meningitis and may cause brain damage. Also these bacteria can infect the blood, joints, bones, muscles, throat, and the cover surrounding the heart. This is especially dangerous for babies. Before the vaccine era, this was an extremely common cause of acquired brain injury in children and infants. The Hib vaccine does not protect against the influenza virus and does not protect against the flu.
DTaP vaccine
The D in DTaP stands for diphtheria.
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a bacterium that attacks the throat, mouth, and nose. This is a very contagious disease , but occurrences have been rare since the vaccine was created.
- Diphtheria can form a gray web that may completely cover the windpipe and cause someone to stop breathing.
- Also, if this disease is not treated right away, it could cause pneumonia, heart failure, or paralysis.
The T in DTaP stands for tetanus.
- Tetanus is an infection caused by a type of bacteria found in dirt, gravel, and rusty metal. It usually enters the body through a cut.
- Infection with tetanus bacteria causes the muscles to spasm . If tetanus attacks the jaw muscles, it causes lockjaw, which is the inability to open and close your mouth.
- Tetanus can also cause the breathing muscles to spasm, with potentially fatal consequences.
The P in DTaP stands for pertussis.
Polio vaccine
MMR vaccine
The first M in MMR stands for measles.
Recommended Immunizations For Children Ages 4 To 6 Years Old
The shots recommended between ages 4 and 6 are often called kindergarten vaccines because kids are often required to be up to date on their immunizations to start attending elementary school. No new vaccines are introduced at this time, but oftentimes vaccines are given as combinations.
For example, DTap and IPV can be given in a single shot. MMR and varicella vaccines can also be combined into a single immunization. These vaccines are just as effective when given together, and it cuts down on the number of shots kids need.
An overview of immunizations for kids ages 4 to 6 years old
- DTaP The fifth and final diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine is recommended when your child is between 4 and 6 years old.
- IPV The fourth and final poliovirus vaccine is recommended when your child is between 4 and 6 years old.
- MMR The second and final dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is also recommended when your child is between 4 and 6 years old.
- Varicella The second and final dose of the chickenpox vaccine is also recommended when your child is between 4 and 6 years old.
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Diphtheria Tetanus And Pertussis Vaccination
Routine vaccination
- 5-dose series at 2, 4, 6, 1518 months, 46 years
- Prospectively: Dose 4 may be administered as early as age 12 months if at least 6 months have elapsed since dose 3.
- Retrospectively: A 4th dose that was inadvertently administered as early as age 12 months may be counted if at least 4 months have elapsed since dose 3.
Catch-up vaccination
- Dose 5 is not necessary if dose 4 was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after dose 3.
- For other catch-up guidance, see Table 2.
Special situations
- Wound management in children less than age 7 years with history of 3 or more doses of tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccine: For all wounds except clean and minor wounds, administer DTaP if more than 5 years since last dose of tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccine. For detailed information, see www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/rr/rr6702a1.htm.
What Changes Were Made To The Immunization Schedule In 2021
The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets three times a year to review the latest scientific research and make any necessary changes to the child vaccination schedule. The CDC officially sets the schedule based on ACIPs recommendations, and the schedule is also approved by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Association of Family Physicians .
In 2021, no major changes were made. But the schedule was updated to include the latest guidance on catch-up vaccinations for Hib and HPV vaccines. New information about special situations was also added for several immunizations. If you have specific questions about 2021 updates and how they relate to your kids vaccine schedule, talk with your childs doctor.
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