Vaccination Policy
Updated 08/2024
Childhood immunization was one of the greatest advances in public health in the 20th century. It has saved millions of children and adults throughout the world from developing meningitis, encephalitis, brain damage, severe respiratory problems, poliomyelitis, paralysis, and other sever illnesses, which can require hospitalization or cause death. And to this day, childhood immunization remains a cornerstone of pediatric care and public health.
Immunizations are most effective when an entire community participates. In recent years, localized outbreaks of mumps, measles, whooping cough, and polio have occurred in the United States in communities with low vaccination rates. When you immunize your child, you are not only protecting your child from serious disease, but you are also helping to protect your entire family, your friends and your neighbors.
At Pediatric Associates of Hampton & Portsmouth we strongly believe in the importance of immunizations and fully support the childhood immunization schedule established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Therefore, our policy requires that every patient within our group receive the vaccinations listed below in the time frame indicated:
Age 2 Weeks: first dose of Hepatitis B if not received in the hospital.
Age 2 Months (must be given by 3 months of age): Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP); Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV); Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib); Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV); Hepatitis B; Rotavirus. Combination vaccines available.
Age 4 Months (must be given by 5 months of age): DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus. Combination vaccines available.
Age 6 Months (must be given by 7 months of age): DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Hepatitis B. Combination vaccines available.
Age 12 Months (must be given by 13 months of age): Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR); Varicella Vaccine (Chicken Pox)
Age 15 Months (must be given by 16 months of age): DTaP, Hib, PCV.
Required within 1 month of 5 year check-up:
A fifth dose of DTaP
A second dose of MMR
A fourth dose of IPV
A second dose of Varicella
Required for Preteens / Teens (within 1 month of 11 & 16 year check-ups):
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (TDaP): 1 dose at age 11 years
Meningococcal Vaccine: 2 doses at ages 11 and 16 years
In addition, we highly recommend (but do not require) the following vaccinations:
Hepatitis A: 2 doses, beginning at 12 months of age
HPV: 2 or 3 doses, eligible starting at age 9 years
Meningitis B: 2 doses, between the ages of 16 and 19 years
Influenza Vaccination: 2 doses the first year if under age 9 years, otherwise 1 dose annually
COVID Vaccination: dosing regimens vary by age and manufacturer
We are aware of the concerns about vaccine safety that has been voiced by a very small yet vocal minority. These claims have no scientific or statistical bases. To date, there have been over 30 scientific studies which have proven, conclusively, that vaccines are safe.