PROGRAM OF IMMUNIZATION
Here are listed the ages
at which the normal baby or
youngster may be immunized against the various preventable diseases, and circumstance under which
baby immunization is advisable.
Acquaint yourself with the immunization programs, but your doctor will decide
when and what to give your baby. Some physicians feel immunizations should be
started slightly, later because of a better antibody response in the infant.
A combination of three toxoids in one injection is no in general-use to obtain
simultaneous immunization against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and
tetanus (lock jaw). This multiple vaccine is called the "triple antigen" or "D.P.T
(for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus). In addition to the D.P.T. injections, the
baby will receive the oral polio vaccine immunization.
Immunization injections should not be given if the child is ill in any way. It's
quite common for a youngster to be fussy and irritable or even to run some fever
following a injection. If they do react this way, advise your physician a your
next visit.
In 1966, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended the following program of immunization. However
your doctor may have special reasons for varying these times.
TRIPLE ANTIGEN (D.P.T.)
2 to 3 months 1st injection
3 to 4 months 2nd injection
4 to 5 months 3rd injection
(The injections should be given at intervals of not less "than
one month and preferably not more than 3 months apart."
15 to 18 months 1st booster injection
(about a year following the original injections)
3 years 2nd booster
6 years (D.T.) 3rd booster
SMALLPOX VACCINATION
It is best to give the smallpox vaccination during a
relatively cool season. The time recommended by the American Academy of
Pediatrics is 15-18 months. It should not be given to a child who has a rash, and
particularly to those children with eczema or where there are members in the
family with eczema. Your physician is familiar with the situations in which
vaccinations are inadvisable.
smallpox vaccinations should be repeated every five years.
POLIOMYELITIS (Polio)
Oral polio virus (Sabin) is the immunization procedure most
widely recommended.
Routine immunization against poliomyelitis may be carried
using either the monovalent or trivalent strains. With the former, type I
is given first, type III, 6-8 weeks later, and type II is administered last, 6-8 weeks
after the second dose. On the other hand, the trivalent form of the vaccine
contains type I,
II, and III of the same material. The child is given a dose of the trivalent
type three times at 6-8 week intervals.
The schedule recommended to give the poliomyelitis(polio) vaccine is as follows:
2 months 1st oral dose
4 months 2nd oral dose
6 months 3rd oral dose
15-18 months 1st booster
5 years 2nd booster
Your doctor will set up an immunization program for your child. Report any
illness or reaction your child has during the program.
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