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While immunizations are thought of as the backbone of preventive
medication, the field has also become an increasingly changing one.
Schedules are being outdated faster than can be printed. Chances
are the one you have in your baby book is no longer valid. Here
are some recent changes that might affect you or your child.
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine has been available since
1995. It is now mandatory to have been vaccinated to attend school.
Most physicians include it routinely in their schedule so that your
child may have had it with his other immunizations. It can first
be given at age one. To complicate matters, children over twelve
receive a different schedule than the younger ones. If your child
has had chickenpox, the vaccine is not needed.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection that is transmitted by exchange
of bodily fluids. The vaccine has been available for many years
now and is included in most well baby immunization schedules. It
only recently became mandatory for school attendance. However, in
the past two years California has required it to enter the seventh
grade. Since the three immunizations are usually given over a period
of six months, it would be wise to begin your child’s immunizations
sooner than later.
Hepatitis A is also a liver infection but is a different
disease from Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is transmitted by what is
called the oral - fecal route. Usually this means it is acquired
from food prepared in unsanitary conditions. Hepatitis A vaccine
has been available since 1995. In the past it was usually only given
to people traveling to less developed countries. Now we are beginning
to see epidemics in this country, usually beginning at restaurants
that are negligent in their preparation of food. The incidence is
especially high in San Bernardino County, and it has been recommended
that we begin to give the vaccine routinely. It is not required
by school yet. Most insurances cover immunizations to age 14.
Pneumoniae is an organism that causes ear infections and
meningitis. In the past it was susceptible to penicillin and was
easily treatable. Due to overuse of antibiotics, it has become resistant
to many of them. In addition, the germ has become more invasive,
sweeping through groups of small children rapidly. For this reason
we are now giving the pneumococcal vaccine beginning at two months
to increase resistance to the organism. The germ is most dangerous
in small children so we will not be trying to "catch up"
with older children with this immunization. It is not routinely
given after age two.
Of great concern this time of year is a type of meningitis,
a brain infection, caused by an organism called N meningitis. This
germ spreads very quickly and can be rapidly overwhelming. While
there is a vaccine for this, it has problems and is not recommended
for general usage. It therefore is not routinely given. There is
ongoing research that we hope will produce an adequate vaccine in
the next 2 - 4 years.
The purpose of this article is to introduce you to the new complexity
of the field of immunizations. If it has raised questions in your
minds as to the status of your or your family's immunization, don't
hesitate to ask your physician.
For more information on childhood immunizations, just ask your primary
care doctor for an Infant and Child Health
Guide, published by Beaver Medical Group’s Preventive Care
Task Force.
An Adult Health Guide is also available.
Each guide includes information on routine care, safety issues,
when to get exams, and much more.
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