The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, for kids born between 994-2018, vaccination prevented an estimated 419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations, and 936,000 deaths in their lifetime.
In addition to an annual influenza vaccine, 2019 recommended vaccinations for infants and children between birth and 6 years (before the start of school) include:
- HepB Hepatitis B
- RV Rotavirus
- DtaP Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
- HIB Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
- PCV13 Pneumococcal
- IPV Polio
- MMR Mumps, Measles, Rubella
- Varicella Chickenpox
- HepA Hepatitis A
Practitioners should take time to educate parents of these important immunizations. The CDC provides printable materials for providers to display and hand out. Visit their website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.