Is your child up to date on his or her immunizations? Keeping track of all the various vaccines your son or daughter needs can be a little confusing. Fortunately, your pediatricians in Houston, TX, Dr. Heena Thakkar, and Dr. Shilpa Pankaj of Peekaboo Pediatrics can ensure that your son or daughter receives all the vaccines recommended on the child immunization schedule.

What immunizations are recommended?

Immunizations protect your child from illnesses that could make him or her very sick or cause serious health complications or death. A group of scientists, doctors, and vaccine experts created a vaccine schedule that gives Houston, TX, pediatricians guidance regarding the best time to offer child immunizations. Since your child's immune system continues to develop after birth, it's important to provide immunizations at times when they will offer the most protection.

These immunizations will help your child avoid serious illnesses and diseases:

• HBV: Given at birth, with a second dose one to two months later, this vaccine offers protection from hepatitis B, an illness that can cause liver disease or liver cancer. Children receive a third dose between 6 and 18 months.
• Rotavirus: Rotavirus can make babies and young children very sick. It causes diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and dehydration. Children receive rotavirus immunizations at 2 and 4 months.
• Polio: This illness can cause death, paralysis, and muscle and joint problems, but has been eliminated in the U.S., thanks to the polio vaccine. The vaccine is given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 - 18 months, and 4 - 6 years.
• DTaP: Given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 - 18 months, and 4 - 6 years, the DTaP immunization prevents diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
• MMR: The MMR vaccine, recommended at 12 - 15 months and 4 - 6 years protects your child from measles, mumps, and German measles.
• HiB: This vaccine prevents a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and pneumonia. Your child receives the HiB vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, and 12 - 15 months.
• Pneumococcal Conjugate: The vaccine, given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 - 18 months, and 4 - 6 years, provides protection from pneumonia, blood infections, meningitis, and some ear infections.
• Varicella: The varicella vaccine given at 12 - 15 months and 4 to 6 years offer protection from chickenpox.
• Other Vaccines: Yearly flu shots are recommended if your child is 6 months or older. Vaccines recommended for older children and teens include the human papillomavirus and meningococcal b immunizations.

Protect your son or daughter's health with child immunization. Call (713) 861-4800 to schedule an appointment with your Houston Pediatricians, Dr. Thakkar and Dr. Pankaj of Peekaboo Pediatrics.