Most parents understand the need for immunization shots, but they can be traumatizing to the child and agonizing to the parents seeing their little one crying. Now doctors are introducing a new combination vaccine that reduces the number of shots a child receives during the first two years of life.
The typical vaccination schedule consists of about 20 shots at various intervals before the age of two. As doctors develop the ability to prevent more dangerous diseases in childhood, the number of injections rises.
According to Dr. Mark Weissman of Children's National Medical Center, doctors are looking for new ways to provide the needed protection with less wear and tear for babies and parents.
The FDA approved one of those new combinations, Pedia-Rex, in December, 2002. It combines the diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccines with the vaccines for polio and hepatitis B. Those 20 shots are reduced to about thirteen, but children still must get shots at two months, four months, and six months. Side effects are mild, with a slightly higher rate of low-grade fevers among those who receive the combined shot.
Experts are confident these combination shots are just as strong, and more of these combination vaccines are coming.
So, when can you expect to see these combination vaccines?
Doctors are using up their existing stocks of single shots and then will switch to the new vaccines. These new combination vaccines are being shipped now, and should be available soon. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
From: http://www.accenthealth.com/features/immunize/
Infant Immunization
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