Vaccination and Immunization

In the absence of an official preference for one formulation over another, we can do what's best for our patients.

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and pertussis have led pediatricians to take a hard line, sometimes dismissing patients who are non-compliant with immunizations. A new study examines the prevalence-and consequences-of patient dismissal.

The currently recommended childhood immunization schedule put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is designed to protect infants and young children from 14 harmful and potentially deadly diseases before a child’s second birthday.

Findings of a new prospective Swedish population-based cohort study provide further reassurance about the safety of H1N1 vaccination in pregnant women.

Many pediatricians believe that if they pay $30 for an immunization, as long as a payer reimburses them more than $30, they’re OK, said Chip Hart. The fact is, that’s not the case, he explained during his presentation “The Business of Immunization: Protecting Kids without Destroying Your Practice.”

Women who receive the prophylactic bivalent human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine within 90 days of pregnancy are not at an increased risk for miscarriage, underscoring the safety of the vaccine. The proven safety of the bivalent HPV vaccine should quell the concerns of women and their health care practitioners.

The CDC now recommends that high-risk infants undergo postvaccination serologic testing between 9 and 12 months, updated from 9-18 months. The new vaccination interval can better cover at risk infants from HBV infection and also help ensure a higher adherence to the immunoprophylaxis protocol.

A seasoned pediatrician learns something new after a mother offers a moral defense against the Varivax vaccine for her son.

There is no room in the office refrigerator for Monday's vaccine delivery. Your son's mini-fridge is an ideal temporary fix. True or False?

If there is no link between vaccines and conditions such as autism, why do pediatricians spend so much time talking about this topic with parents?

The ongoing US measles outbreak underscores the importance of childhood vaccines-opponents of vaccination notwithstanding, say experts.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has announced the release of the 2015 recommended vaccination schedule for children and adolescents in a recent policy statement from the Academy’s Committee on Infectious Diseases.

Two measles-containing vaccines are unlikely to result in adverse effects, a 12-year study has found.

Young children are more likely to get a second dose of influenza vaccine when their parents receive reminders by text message, a new study reports.

Contrary to current guidelines, children born before 37 weeks’ gestation should be considered at high risk for complications of influenza, a new meta-analysis shows.

Infants have borne the brunt of the worst outbreak of pertussis, or whooping cough, in almost 70 years in California, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has expanded its recommendations for giving pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae to high-risk older children and adolescents.

The mother of a 12-year-old boy resists your suggestion that he receive the HPV4 vaccine today. She asks three good questions. Do you know the answers?

It's Monday morning and you're only 20 minutes behind. Per routine, you ask the mother of the 12-month-old in your office if she has any questions about the shots he's about to receive...

The mother of a 12-month-old says she'd rather her son have the chickenpox ("It's such a mild disease...") than be vaccinated today. Here, the pros and cons.

FluBlok, new this year, is egg-free but approved for persons aged 18 to 49 years only. The other options, and precautions, are discussed here.

The 5-year-old in your office has asthma and is egg-allergic. Mom wants him to have a flu shot today, but only if it can be given safely. Can it? With which vaccine?

If you aren't ready with the answer to this question and a way to put it in context for parents, you just might not get another chance. What would you say?

Here's how to put a parent's concern to rest.

Since mom went to the hassle of bringing along the 4 year old to her little brother's appointment, why not help make it worth the trip and get her up-to-date, too?