A New Beginning

Baby’s Discharge

Immunizations

Your baby’s health care provider will have an immunization schedule for your child. They’ll need several vaccinations before they are 18 months old — and will continue to need others for the rest of their life. You will be given a record of every shot your child receives. This record will prove to be important as they enter school, even college, so keep your records in a safe place.

Immunizations, sometimes referred to as shots or vaccinations, are a way of protecting your child against a variety of diseases that can be prevented:

• Hepatitis B (HepB) • Diphtheria (DTaP) • Tetanus or lockjaw (DTaP)

• Polio (IPV) • Influenza • Hepatitis A (HepA)

Tdap Vaccination for Mothers and Family Members The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends all pregnant women receive a Tdap vaccine. Mothers are the primary source for infant transmission of pertussis. Women, including those who are breastfeeding, should receive a dose of Tdap in the immediate postpartum period if they have not previously been vaccinated or the status of the vaccination is unknown.

• Measles (MMR) • Mumps (MMR) • Rotavirus (RV) • Rubella, or German measles (MMR) • Varicella zoster, or chickenpox • Pneumococcal disease (PCV) • Pertussis, or whooping cough (DTaP) • (H. influenza type b) disease (Hib)

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Chapter 11: Baby’s Discharge