Vaccination Policy

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:

By 18 months of age, your child will receive the following:

Hepatitis B: 3 Doses

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP): 4 Doses

Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): 3 Doses

Haemophilus Influenza (HIB): 4 Doses 

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (Prevnar): 4 Doses

Varicella Vaccine (Chicken Pox): 1 Dose

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): 1 Dose 

Rotavirus (Rotarix): 2 Doses 

By the age of 5 years your child will receive these additional vaccines:

A fifth dose of DTaP 

A second dose of MMR 

A fourth dose of IPV

A second dose of Varicella (Chicken Pox) 

In addition, we highly recommend (but do not require) the following vaccinations:

Hepatitis A: 2 doses, beginning at 12 months of age

Influenza Vaccination: 2 doses first year received and 1 dose annually

For Preteen/Teens: 1 dose of Meningococcal Vaccine, 2 or 3 doses of HPV-9 (Gardasil), and 1 dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (TDaP).

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.