Unlike adults with fully developed immune systems, children’s immune system is still under development, making them prone to catching infectious illnesses more easily compared to adults.
Thanks to vaccines – one of the great public health achievements – it is now possible to save your child from numerous serious and often fatal diseases that were once common.
Here’s a brief guide on vaccines for kids in NY. We all also talk about where you can go to vaccinate your child in Purchase, NY.
How Vaccines for Kids Work?
Needless to say, all of us (adults) are exposed to germs every day.Our immune system protects us from developing the symptoms of the diseases that germs carry with them.
Unfortunately, the developing immune system of children doesn’t know how to fight these germs. By acting as a teacher, vaccines teach your child’s immune system how to fight germs and protect the child from deadly diseases.
For this, vaccines introduce a small amount of the weakened or inactive germ (virus) or its component into the child’s body, which triggers the immune system to create antibodies against the administered germ. These antibodies recognize the virus if your child is ever exposed to it after immunization and fight it off quickly.
Recommended Vaccine Schedule for Kids in Purchase, NY
The children in NY can only attend school or daycare if they have received all the required vaccines unless they have a medical exemption.
The New York State Department of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend parents keep their children up to date with the recommended immunization schedule. These schedules are designed to provide your child the best protection against disease at the optimal time.
To make the immunization schedule easier for parents, it is split into two groups: Birth to 6 years and 7 to 18 years. In addition to this, there is a catch-up schedule for children who are not up to date with their vaccines.
The recommended immunization schedule includes vaccines like:
- Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Adsorbed (DTaP)
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine
- Influenza Vaccine
- Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Hib)
- Hepatitis A Vaccine
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Meningococcal Vaccine
- Poliovirus Vaccine
- Rotavirus Vaccine
- Varicella Virus Vaccine
- Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine
- Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
The above list is by no means comprehensive – and it’s also recommended to get your child vaccinated against the COVID-19 vaccine.
New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) stores the records of the vaccines received by children. So,make sure that your child is fully vaccinated.
Vaccines Are Safe
We cannot stress enough that vaccines are safe. Only FDA-approved vaccines are administered to children.To receive the label “FDA Approved” vaccines undergo rigorous testing where their safety and efficacy are checked.
Vaccines do not cause autism, do not overwhelm your child’s immune system, and are not unnecessary. However, these may cause mild side effects, like pain at the injection site, fever, and body aches that go away shortly.
Vaccine for Kids in Purchase NY
The last thing we all want as parents is to see our child sick with infectious and sometimes fatal illnesses. Vaccines protect our children from a variety of illnesses and allow them to live a healthier life.
At Westchester Park Pediatrics, we offer vaccines as a part of our wide range of on-site services. Our six board-certified pediatricians are passionate about keeping children healthy and follow the CDC and APA for immunization. We also offer parents immunization cards or documentation needed for school, daycare, travel, and sports participation.
If you have any questions from our providers about vaccination or want to schedule a consultation, call us today at (914) 761-1717 or request an appointment online.
