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Vaccinations

Vaccinations ensure that your child is protected against serious and life-threatening illnesses.  At Over the Moon Pediatrics, we believe in the effectiveness of vaccines and do require that all of our patients are fully immunized.  Read below to get more information on the vaccine schedule and what illnesses these vaccines prevent!


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We do require all of our patients to be fully vaccinated

and caught up on vaccines by their next checkup


Dr. Suhendra and Over the Moon Pediatrics firmly believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious and life-threatening illnesses. Based on scientific literature, evidence, and studies, we believe vaccines are safe and do NOT cause autism or other developmental disabilities. We believe that all children, adolescents, and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the immunization guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


The Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule that we at Over the Moon Pediatrics follow is:


Birth: HepB

2 months: DTaP, HepB, Hib, IPV, PCV13, Rota

4 months: DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV13, Rota

6 months: DTaP, HepB, Hib, IPV, PCV13, Rota

12 months: HepA, MMR, VAR

15 months: DTaP, Hib, PCV13

18 months: HepA

4 years: DTaP, IPV, MMR, VAR

11 years: Tdap, MenACWY, HPV

12 years: HPV

16 years: MenACWY, MenB

17 years: MenB


We also recommend yearly influenza vaccination and the COVID-19 vaccine to prevent serious illness and hospitalization!


For patients who are currently delayed on their vaccination status, please discuss a catch-up schedule with Dr. Hurliman or Dr. Suhendra directly.


New patients are required to provide immunization records prior to scheduling their first visit.


Please see our Vaccination Policy for more information!


Read below for more information on these vaccine-preventable diseases.

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap)
    • Diphtheria is a disease spread by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae.  Diphtheria causes mild fever, chills, sore throat along with nasal discharge and a thick gray membrane that covers the throat.  If the disease evolves, the bacteria can release a toxin through the body that can cause difficulties swallowing, paralysis, and even heart failure.
    • Tetanus occurs when the bacteria Clostridium tetani releases a toxin that causes spasms of the jaw.  This bacteria is present in the soil and can contaminate any open cut or wound.
    • Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, usually presents as a common cold for the first 1-2 weeks with subsequent worsening of the cough.  The classic inhalational “whoop” sound in between coughing spells is what characterizes this illness.  Pertussis can be fatal in infants who contract the disease.

  • Hepatitis A (HepA)
    • Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus which is contracted by having close contact with someone who is infected or when someone drinks water or eats food that has been contaminated with the virus.  This acute infection can cause jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) along with flu-like symptoms (fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness).  Hepatitis A can spread in child care centers if caregivers don’t wash their hands thoroughly after changing the diaper of an infected baby or toddler.
  • Hepatitis B (HepB)
    • Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by a virus which is spread through blood and bodily fluids.  Mothers with chronic hepatitis B can pass down this infection through the placenta.  Acute hepatitis can cause jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), diarrhea, vomiting, joint and muscle pain, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.  Chronic hepatitis can lead to permanent liver damage known as cirrhosis, liver cancer, or even death.
  • Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib)
    • Haemophilus influenzae type b is a bacteria that is caused by coughing and sneezing but can lead to severe childhood illnesses such as ear infections, pneumonias, epiglottitis, and meningitis.  It is NOT related to the seasonal flu (influenza).
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
    • HPV is a virus associated with genital warts in males and females.  It is also associated with several types of cancers including cervical cancer, vaginal and vulvar cancers, anal cancer, throat cancer, and penile cancer.
  • Influenza (Flu)
    • Influenza is a respiratory virus that causes fever, chills, runny nose, congestion, coughing, sore throat, vomiting, headaches, and body aches.  The flu is usually seasonal, starting in the fall and usually ending in the spring.
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
    • Measles is caused by a virus and is extremely contagious, spreading when someone inhales the infected droplets of someone who has sneezed or coughed nearby.  People infected with measles have cold-like symptoms with fever, runny nose, cough, and conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye), then go on to develop an extensive rash.  Some can then go on to develop pneumonia or even encephalitis (an infection of the brain).
    • Mumps is caused by a virus that causes swelling of the parotid glands (salivary glands between the jaw and the ear).  Some boys can also develop pain of the testicles due to the mumps virus.
    • Rubella, also known as German measles, is a virus that causes fever, rash that starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body, and tender lymph nodes in the back of the neck or behind the ears.
  • Meningococcal Infections (MenACWY, MenB)
    • Meningitis is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis and causes an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.  Although many recover from meningitis, there are others who recover but suffer disabilities due to the illness, and still others who die from this disease.  Signs of meningitis include fever, extreme headache, stiff or painful neck, back pain, vomiting, and excessive sleepiness and irritability.  There are different serogroups that we have vaccines for, including A, C, W, Y, and B.
  • Pneumococcal Infections (PCV13)
    • Pneumococcus is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.  This bacteria can cause infections of the ears, eyes, sinuses, lungs, blood, joints, and brain and spinal cord.
  • Polio (IPV)
    • Polio is caused by a virus that is spread from direct contact and can lead to paralysis of muscles, particularly the arms and legs.
  • Rotavirus (Rota)
    • Rotavirus causes gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) that can lead to severe dehydration.  Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea and occurs in the winter and spring months.  Symptoms can last 3 to 8 days.
  • Varicella (VAR)
    • Varicella zoster is the name of the virus that causes chickenpox.  Chickenpox is known for causing fever, cold-like symptoms, and an itchy, blister-like rash that starts on the torso and works its way to the face, arms, and legs.  Someone who has had a chickenpox infection can go on to develop shingles as an adult, as it is caused by a reactivation of the same varicella zoster virus.

More Reputable Resources on Immunizations:


CDC Vaccination Home Page: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html


CDC Vaccination Schedule for Children: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/schedules/index.html


Healthy Children’s Information on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: https://www.healthychildren.org/english/health-issues/vaccine-preventable-diseases/pages/default.aspx

SYMPTOM CHECKER

If your child is feeling unwell, you can use our symptom checker to gain a better understanding of what could potentially be happening. Our symptom checker provides you access to over 100 symptoms to ensure you know when to bring your child to the office to be seen by a physician. If you have any questions regarding the symptom checker or your child’s health, don’t hesitate to contact our offices to schedule an appointment.

Visit Our Symptom Checker

Expectant Parents

welcome

Existing Patients

learn more

Switching Practices

join us