Make sure that children and teens stay healthy and happy by getting the proper immunizations.

While getting a shot is certainly not the highlight of your child’s day, immunizations are important for protecting them against a host of serious and even life-threatening illnesses. If you are unsure which vaccinations your child needs to have, then turn to your Greenwich, CT pediatricians Dr. Karen Beckman and Dr. Alejandro Mones to learn more.

When should my child get immunized?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publish a new immunization schedule every year. They detail which vaccines are important for your child and at what age they should get them. Here are some of the immunizations your child will need:

DTaP: This will protect your child against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. Your child when need to get this immunization at 2, 4 and 6 months, as well as between 15 to 18 months, between 4 to 6 years and then again at 11 to 12 years old.

Gardasil: This will protect against Human papillomavirus and is given starting at age 11.

Hepatitis A: This immunization protects against liver disease caused by hepatitis. This is given to children between the ages of 12 to 23 months as two separate shots and the shots are often given about six to 18 months apart.

Hepatitis B: Protect your little one against this form of hepatitis that can also cause liver disease. Your child will be vaccinated at birth, between 1 to 2 months and then again between the ages of 6 to 18 months.

Hib: This immunization protects against meningitis, epiglottitis, and pneumonia. Your child should be vaccinated at 2, 4 and 6 months, and again between the ages of 12 to 15 months.
Meningococcal: To protect your child from bacterial meningitis, they should be vaccinated anywhere between 11 and 12 years old and then again around 16 years old. Meningococcal serogroup B should also be given prior to leaving for boarding school or college.

MMR: This vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children will get these shots between 12 to 15 months and again between 4 to 6 years old.

Pneumococcal (PCV): To protect against the disease that can cause pneumonia, ear infections and meningitis your child should be vaccinated at 2, 4, and 6 months, as well as between 12 to 15 months old.

Polio: To protect your child against polio, vaccines are administered at 2 and 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and between 4 to 6 years old.

Varicella: To protect against chicken pox these vaccines are given between 12 to 15 months and again between 4 to 6 years old.

Have questions about your child’s upcoming immunization recommendations? Need to schedule your little one’s next appointment? Then turn to the experts in pediatric care at Riverside Pediatrics in Greenwich, CT.