Vaccinations

Vaccines make your child's immune system stronger. They are also the easiest way to protect your child from serious diseases. While the information you receive can be overwhelming, the fact is vaccinations are the best way to protect your child from serious illnesses.

Your child will encounter thousands of germs every day through the air they breathe, the food they eat, and things they put in their mouth. Vaccinations are the best way to protect them from serious diseases. They strengthen your child's immune system and provide protection against 16 diseases by the age of 13, including:

• Hepatitis B (HepB)
• Rotavirus (RV)
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Acellular pertussis
• Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Pneumococcus
• Polio
• Influenza (flu)
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Hepatitis A (HepA)
• Meningococcus
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

To learn more about each illness, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine-Preventable Diseases page.

Stay up-to-date

We know that nothing is more important than your child's health. Keep your child on track to good health with on-time vaccinations.

By two months of age, your baby will need the following vaccines to protect them against serious diseases, such as:

• Hepatitis B (HepB) — at birth, and between 1-2 months and 6-18 months
• Rotavirus (RV) — 2 months, 4 months and 6 months
• Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcal (PCV13)
• Polio (IPV)

For a full schedule of recommended vaccines for your child from infancy to adolescence, please see the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended guidelines:

• Immunizations for infants and children from birth to 6 years
• Immunizations for preteens and teens from 7-18 years

Many of these vaccines are required for public schools and childcare facilities. Visit the Oregon Health Authority website to see the required immunizations by ages and grades.

Fact vs. myth

To help you make the best decisions about your child's health, here are facts about some common vaccinations myths.

Myth: The shot will give your child the disease it is supposed to prevent.
Fact: Most vaccines are made with dead viruses, which does not give your child the disease. Your child have a very small chance of getting sick from these shots. They have a much greater risk of getting sick if he or she is not immunized.

Myth: My child does not need to get shots because all other children have gotten their shots.
Fact: Not all children are immunized. Your child could get sick from a child who has not been vaccinated. The best way to protect your child is to make sure they are immunized.

Myth: Getting more than one shot at a time will give my child more side effects and make him or her sick.
Fact: Research shows that giving more than one shot at a time does not increase the risk of side effects and illness. Giving multiple vaccinations can save time and money and won't hurt your child as much.

Myth: I do not need to immunize my child because the disease is not common in America.
Fact: Although many diseases are not common in America, worldwide travel brings diseases to your city and can put your child at risk.

Myth: Vaccines cause harmful side effects and illness, and can cause death.
Fact: Vaccines are very safe and usually only cause minor sickness, such as mild fever or sore muscle. Remember, your child has a much greater risk of getting sick if he or she is not vaccinated.

Myth: Vaccines cause autism in children.
Fact: There are many studies on this subject, and there is no scientific evidence that supports this claim.

Well child visits

Most screenings and vaccinations happen during your child's well care visits. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends having 11 well care visits within your child's first three years of life. Well care visits should be scheduled at:

• 2-5 days old
• 1 month old
• 2 months old
• 4 months old
• 6 months old
• 9 months old
• 12 months old
• 15 months old
• 18 months old
• 24 months old
• 30 months old

The AAP also recommends that you schedule annual well care visits for your child starting at age three.

These visits are a great time to discuss important health topics or concerns you may have about your child, including:

• Growth and measurements
• Nutrition
• Behavior
• Sleep habits
• Vaccinations
• Developmental milestones and screenings

What to expect

Knowing what to expect can help ensure that you get the most out of your well child visits. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your visits:

Before the visit
Immunizations can be particularly stressful for babies and very young children. Prepare for your visit to make the shot less stressful for you and your child.

• Read materials and write down questions about the vaccines.
• Bring a vaccine record with you to your visit.
• Pack a favorite blanket and toy to comfort your child.

During the visit
If you have any questions about vaccines, make sure to ask your child's pediatrician or nurse.

• Comfort and talk to your child during the visit.
• Soothe them with skin-to-skin contact, swaddling, and/or breastfeeding.
• Ask about non-aspirin pain reliever or other ways to help your child feel better.
• Schedule your next visit!

After the visit
Some children may experience mild reactions such as rash, fever or pain at the injection site. These reactions are normal and short-lived.

• Read any information your doctor gives you such as Vaccine Information Statements.
• Reduce any fever with a cool sponge bath. Give non-aspirin pain reliever, if your doctor recommends it.
• Use a cool, wet cloth to lessen soreness and swelling where the shot was given.
• Give your child plenty of fluids. Many children eat within 24 hours after getting a vaccine.
• Pay close attention to your child for a few days after the shot. Call your doctor if you have any concerns.

Schedule your child for their next well care visit today.

Developmental screenings

This is an exciting time! Your child is growing and changing quickly. During well care visits, your pediatrician should monitor important developmental milestones. These screenings allow them to see if your child is at risk for social, behavioral or developmental delays.

Here are some developmental milestones you can watch for and talk about with your child's healthcare provider at their early well care visits

Between birth and two months, your baby can:

• Recognize your voice
• Communicate with body language
• Make gurgling sounds
• Follow things with their eyes
• Smile

To learn more about developmental milestones for all ages, please select one of the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention milestone trackers:

• Immunizations and Development Milestones Tracker
• Developmental Milestone Checklists
• Grow up Healthy! Growth Chart

Make sure to ask your doctor about developmental screenings at your child's next well care visit!

Questions?

We're here to help. Please call our customer service team at 877-605-3229 (TTY users, dial 711), or email us at