Blog Post

A Shot to Keep Kids Healthy

August 08, 2022

Blog Post

A Shot to Keep Kids Healthy

August 08, 2022
Dr. Kelly Gorman, Freeman Pediatrician
Parents want what’s best for their children – a good education, good health and a bright future.

Timely vaccination throughout childhood is essential to this endeavor. It helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases, protecting them from harsh medications and medical interventions like antibiotics, hospital stays and surgeries.

Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages. In fact, the vaccine schedule set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and followed by your Freeman pediatrician is based on when your child's immune system provides optimal protection after vaccination. Vaccines are also timed to give your child protection at the ages when they are at the highest risks of different diseases.

Each year, top disease experts evaluate vaccination schedules and guidelines against the most recent research. The AAP, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Family Physicians then review and approve any recommended changes. Your Freeman pediatrician stays updated with any changes, too. The current vaccines that school-aged children should have include:

Preschool and Elementary School Years: Ages 4 – 10 
•    Flu vaccine: Every year by the end of October, if possible 
•    Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine: At 4 – 6 years 
•    Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine: At 4 – 6 years 
•    Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine: At 4 – 6 years 
•    Polio (IPV) vaccine: At 4 – 6 years 

Preteen and Teen Years: Ages 11 – 18 
As your child heads to college, make sure all vaccinations are up to date and that your child has a copy of all immunization records. If your child travels outside of the United States, check if they need any additional vaccines. 
•    Flu vaccine: Every year by the end of October, if possible 
•    Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: At 11 – 12 years and a second dose 6-12 months following the first dose 
•    Meningococcal conjugate vaccine: At 11 – 12 years and at 16 years 
•    Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine: May be given at 16 – 23 years; if interested, talk to your child’s doctor 
•    Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine: At 11 – 12 years

For more information about vaccines and immunizations, visit healthychildren.org for American Association of Pediatrics recommendations. Visit freemanhealth.com/pediatrics for more information about pediatric services at Freeman Health System.