IMMUNIZATIONS
Immunizations are a safe and effective way to prevent dangerous diseases. Every child should be protected against diseases that can cause brain damage, paralysis, deafness, blindness, cancer and even death.
Immunization clinics are held the second Thursday of every month. Alternative times can be arranged if necessary. Immunizations are available to those with Title XIX/Medicaid, those who have no health insurance, or those with private health insurance that does not include an immunization benefit.
All infants should complete their basic series of immunizations before the age of 2 years. However, if your child has received no immunizations or only part of them, it is not late to start or finish for complete protection.
The following changes have been made regarding new vaccines and recommended vaccines:
Now available and recommended for children from 11 through age 18 is the meningococcal conjugate (Menactra) vaccine. This will help protect against the most common forms of bacteria that cause meningococcal disease (strains A, C, Y and the W-135). It is highly recommended for students entering college who will be living in a dorm setting.
Hepatitis A vaccine is now recommended at age 12-23 months with a booster dose needed 6-18 months later.
Tdap is now the recommended booster for tetanus, diptheria and pertusis beginning at age 10 and going through age 64. Only one Tdap vaccine is needed, which is good for 10 years and will then be followed with the usual Td (tetanus and diptheria) booster.
The varicella (chicken pox) vaccine is now recommended at age 12-15 months with a booster dose somewhere from age 4-6 years.
A new vaccine for rotavirus is now available and given orally to infants at age 2, 4 and 6 months. This vaccine helps prevent a form of gastroenteritis which has a sudden onset of vomiting, fever, and watery diarrhea and is the leading cause of hospitalization in children under 5 years of age.
Another new vaccine is available for females 9 through 26 years of age to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine is a three-shot series with the second shot two months after the first and the third shot six months after the first.
Adults should be protected with immunizations such as a tetanus booster every 10 years. The Hepatitis A and B vaccines are a preventive series against viral diseases to the liver. Adults age 65 and older and others with chronic health conditions may benefit from an annual influenza vaccination. Your physician may also recommend a pneumonia immunization.
Public health officials in Iowa recommend the schedule below. Some physicians may vary this schedule to meet your infant's needs. For more information on the recommended vaccines or new vaccines, please contact Ringgold County Public Health or your health care provider.
| Age: | Immunization: |
| 2 Months | 1st DTaP, IPV, HIB, Hep B, Prevnar, Rotavirus |
| 4 Months | 2nd DTaP, IPV, HIB, Hep B, Prevnar, Rotavirus |
| 6 Months | 3rd DTaP, IPV, Prevnar, Rotavirus, Hep B |
| 12 - 15 Months | 1st MMR, Varicella, Hep A; 3rd HIB; 4th DTaP, Prevnar |
| 4 -6 Years | 2nd MMR and Varicella; 5th DTaP; 4th IPV |
| 11 - 18 years | Tdap Booster, Meningitis |
| Every 10 years | TD Booster |
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