Booster Vaccines?

[LisaR]

After the baby/toddler vaccines, what booster vaccines do kids get once they hit 11 and older?

 

[WDWBarb]

After the baby/toddler vaccines, what booster vaccines do kids get once they hit 11 and older?

I hope you get more answers than just mine ... I can only speak to what I have recently learned. I do know that a Pertussis vaccine booster is suggested for older kids (maybe teens) because immunity "wears off."

 

[tazdev3225]

Tetanus is supposed to be a shot that iis given throughout life. I know my brother needed a chicken pox booster when he went to college a few years ago.

 

[Cindy F]

Here's a good site to check out from the CDC.

 

[southernbelle_amy]

TdaP, Varicella #2
Not boosters but Menactra, and 3 Gardasil shots for girls.

 

[clgwli]

Dtap (diphtheria tetanus and pertussis) would be needed around age 14 or so depending on when they got the last booster.

Varicella would not be required in most cases if your child has gotten two shots in sequence before they turned 5 or if they had gotten the shots as older kids and a month apart. Check with your doctor on that one.

Meningoccocal is usually administered during that time as well as HPV for those who want it.

For those who choose to do it influenza is recommended yearly for all children.

 

[LisaR]

The reason I asked is because I took my 13 y/o to a new doctor a few weeks ago and discussed vaccinations. This is a general practitioner not a pediatrician. We have opted out of chicken pox and HPV. DD has had a recent tetanus shot. I was certain there were boosters that she would need because she hasn't had anything since she was little but this doctor felt she was all set until she needs a meningitis vaccine before college.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

The reason I asked is because I took my 13 y/o to a new doctor a few weeks ago and discussed vaccinations. This is a general practitioner not a pediatrician. We have opted out of chicken pox and HPV. DD has had a recent tetanus shot. I was certain there were boosters that she would need because she hasn't had anything since she was little but this doctor felt she was all set until she needs a meningitis vaccine before college.

We don't do these either. Once my older two started middle school I began the meningitis routine, but not before, and thankfully our Dr. is respectful of my child, my decdision on the rest.

 

[Cindy F]

HPV causes cervical cancer and chickenpox can be lethal in adults.

I will state my professional/personal opinion then leave you all to flame away as you see fit but, I can assure you I have heard every argument and have no inclination to debate the topic. We don't accept patients who are not vaccinated in our practice-not because we have some urge to "bend everyone to our will" or we don't "respect them" but because it is unsafe.

We are currently lobbying to have mandatory vaccinations required by law to remove this decision from the parents. I understand that parents feel they know what's best for their child but the bottom line is, it is a medical decision that should be made within an evidence based (not anecdotal) based practice by a qualified provider -taking into account family history, allergies, etc.

Yes, they are our children but, they are not our property and should not have barriers to preventative health care placed in their way. This is difficult for parents when it comes to vaccines because there are some risks involved and some parents find it difficult not to focus on the risk of the vaccine rather than the consequences of not vaccinating.

There are cases when certain vaccinations are contraindicated and as I said above-that would be taken into account. I also urge people who are concerned about vaccinations to obtain further information from reputable sources such as the CDC, the World Health Organization, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The Public Health Agency of Canada, and The United Kingdom's Public Health Service.

I don't think parents who don't vaccinate their kids are stupid, don't love their kids, are engaged in a power struggle, or any of those other ridiculous myths as to why some people do not vaccinate.
I think it is just fear, plain and simple. Fear of the unknown, fear of what "might happen", fear of long term effects. Fear is not usually the best platform on which to base a decision.

We all have the same goal- to ensure our children are as healthy as possible and while there are many different ways (and areas) to ensure that-when it comes to vaccinations, the research remains clear.

Although I know this post will likely make some of you very angry (although I'm not exactly sure why that is-unless it is just because I disagree?) it is not the intent.

I hope every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and stay that way.