IMMUNIZATIONS
CONTENT
What are immunizations
Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The Diseases & Immunization’s benefits and reactions
NICUs current immunization schedule
Call the doctor if….
WHAT ARE IMMUNIZATIONS
1. Immunizations are medicines given to protect your child against certain harmful diseases.
a. Although these diseases are not as common as they once were, they can still occur
b. Deaths still occur every year from preventable childhood diseases, even here in the United States.
2. Immunizations are given at an early age because the diseases they prevent can strike at an early age. Some diseases are far more serious or common among infants or young children.
3. Immunizations are also called “vaccinations” and are given by injection (shots).
4. CHILDREN CANNOT GET INTO SCHOOL WITHOUT VACCINATIONS.
5. The following childhood immunizations may be administered while your baby is in the NICU:
a. Hepatitis B (HBV)
b. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, (DTaP)
c. Hemophilus Influenza: Type B (HIB)
d. Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
e. Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV)
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE AAP
1. The AAP reviews the childhood immunization schedule yearly and makes recommendations for:
a. The timing (when to give) for each individual immunization
b. How may doses of each immunization to administer.
2. The AAP suggests the premature baby receive immunizations on the same schedule and dose as full-term infants.
3. Immunizations may be delayed if the baby has a cold or fever.
4. The baby’s doctor will decide with you the exact immunization schedule for your baby.
5. Bring the baby’s immunization record (shot book or card) to each doctor’s appointment.
6. Tell the doctor or health nurse if the baby is on Phenobarbital or any other medicine for seizures.
THE DISEASES & IMMUNIZATION’S BENEFITS AND REACTIONS
A. HEPATITIS B
1. A viral infection.
2. Can cause infection at any age.
3. May lead to chronic infection of the liver and serous disease, especially if disease is acquired during infancy or childhood.
4. May not show signs of infection until years later when child develops liver failure and/or liver disease.
5. Transmitted in the following ways:
a. From mother to infant at the time of birth
b. From Hepatitis B carrier to child living in same household, especially during the 1st 5 years of life
c. Through sexual intercourse
d. Through contact with infected blood, such as when drug users share needles.
6. Immunization:
a. Recombivax HB® is the name for the Hepatitis B vaccine
b. A single, not combination, vaccine
c. Administered as the initial Hepatitis B vaccine—subsequent doses of Hepatitis B vaccine are administered as part of the combination vaccine Pediarix®.
7. Benefits:
a. Most children (more than 95%) who receive the recommended doses of the vaccine are protected against the illnesses caused by the Hepatitis B Virus
b. Three (3) doses of the vaccine by age 1 are required by NC law to be fully protected against Hepatitis B.
8. Reactions:
a. Most children have no side effects
b. Fussiness, soreness, swelling, and redness at the site of the shot
c. Symptoms may begin within a day after the shot and usually go away within 2-3 days.
B. DIPHTHERIA
1. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection.
2. It attacks the throat and nose and paralyzes the respiratory muscles, interfering with breathing.
3. Produces poisons that can damage heart, kidneys, nerves.
4. Occurs primarily in children.
5. Immunization: DTaP: Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis.
6. Benefits: most children who receive the recommended doses of the vaccine are protected against the illness.
7. Reactions:
a. A sore lump at shot site
b. Fever 12-24 hours later
c. Most severe reactions are very rare.
C. TETANUS
1. AKA “Lockjaw.”
2. Tetanus is a bacterial infection.
3. Causes painful muscles spasms, spasms of breathing muscles & seizures.
4. The child is unable to open their mouth or swallow.
5. Transmitted by the bacteria getting into wounds or cuts.
6. Immunization: DTaP: Diphtheria -Tetanus-Pertussis.
7. Benefits: most children who receive the recommended doses of the vaccine are protected against the illness.
8. Reactions: Little reaction by itself.
D. PERTUSSIS
1. AKA Whooping Cough.
2. Worse in infants less than 1 year of age.
3. Causes severe coughing spells, often with vomiting.
4. Very contagious.
5. Immunization: DTaP: Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis.
6. Benefits: most children who receive the recommended doses of the vaccine are protected against the illness.
7. Reactions:
a. Sore lump at site; fever 12-24 hours later
b. Irritability or sleepiness first 2 days after shot
c. Usually a mild fever, some children may have a fever over 1020 F
d. May have high-pitched cry
e. Constant crying for 3 hours or more
f. Can cause pneumonia
g. May have a seizure or become pale and limp.
E. HEMOPHILUS INFLUENZA B
1. AKA Influenza or Flu.
2. Leading cause of serious infection in young children.
3. Can cause meningitis, cellulitis, pneumonia, epiglottis.
4. Immunization:
a. HIB
b. A single, not combination, vaccine.
5. Benefits: most children who receive the recommended doses of the vaccine are protected against the illness.
6. Reactions:
a. Few serious reactions
b. Redness or swelling at the site of the shot
c. May have a fever over 1010 F
d. Can cause Pneumonia.
F. POLIO
1. A viral infection that attacks the nervous system.
2. Causes paralysis, usually of arms or legs; also of breathing muscles.
3. Can cause death.
4. Some of the infants admitted to the NICU will receive their first (1st) dose of polio vaccine before they are discharged.
5. Immunization: IPV (Inactivated Polio).
6. Benefits: most children who receive the recommended doses of the vaccine are protected against the illness.
7. Reactions:
a. No immediate reactions
b. Mild soreness at the site of injection (baby’s arm or leg)
c. Rash or hives
d. Tachypnea (fast breathing)
e. Working harder to breathe (sucking in at ribs or breastbone.)
G. PNEUMONIA
1. A bacterial infection.
2. Can cause:
a. Fever
b. Cough
c. Difficulty Breathing.
3. More serious in younger children.
4. Poses a greater risk in children who have other illness or health conditions (e.g., chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, Sickle Cell disease, HIV infection.)
5. Transmitted by close contact—sneezing, coughing, or touching an unwashed hand.
6. Immunization:
a. PREVNAR® is the name for the Pneumococcal Vaccine
b. A single, not combination, vaccine.
7. Benefits: most children who receive the recommended doses of the vaccine are protected against the illness.
8. Reactions:
a. Redness or mild soreness at the site of injection (baby’s arm or leg)
b. Mild swelling at the site of injection
c. Temporary loss of appetite
d. Irritability or fussiness first 2 days after shot
e. Usually a mild fever, some children may have a fever over 1020 F.
NICUs CURRENT IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE
CURRENT SCHEDULE FOR IMMUNIZATIONS
AGE / IMMUNIZATIONBirth / #1 Hepatitis B
2 Months / Pediarix (# 2 Hepatitis B and #1 DTaP)
#1 Polio, HIb, Prevnar, IPV
4 Months / #2 DTaP, Polio, HIb, Prevnar, IPV
REMEMBER:
CHILDREN CANNOT GET INTO SCHOOL WITHOUT VACCINATIONS!!!
CALL THE DOCTOR IF…
1. Fever is above 1000 F and does not come down with acetaminophen (see TEMPERATURE section).
2. Baby’s crying:
a. Cannot be calmed
b. Lasts for 3 hours or more
c. Is unusual high-pitched cry.
3. Baby is:
a. Extremely sleepy
b. Floppy
c. Limp
d. Pale.
4. Baby has a seizure or “fit.”
Reviewed/Revised: 11/96…..06/11
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