If you’re about to have a new baby and you’re wondering what type of medical care it will get, your mind may drift to vaccines. What ones should your baby get? What do you need to know about this process?
First and foremost, babies typically just get one vaccine right at birth: The first dose of the HepB vaccine. They get another dose at two months and a third dose at six months.
That two-month mark is really when things kick into high gear. In addition to the HepB vaccine, the doctor will give your child a first dose for RV, DTaP, Hib, PCV and IPV. Two months later, when the child is four months old, they will get the second dose for all five of those. At six months, third doses may be given out in some cases, though some of the vaccines can be given anywhere from six to 18 months. The doctor will help you decide.
Six months is also when your child can start getting a flu shot. This is seasonal, though, so it will just happen when appropriate after the child gets to the right age.
At a year old, the child will get a booster shot for Hib and a fourth dose for PCV. This is also when they can start getting doses for MMR, HepA and Varicella.
Overall, vaccines are very useful, helpful and safe. They have eradicated many diseases and saved countless lives. However, in individual cases, something may go wrong and lead to serious complications. That’s when parents need to know what legal options they have.