Pediatric Vaccines

Vaccines

-Vaccines can weaken a virus/bacteria in ways that allow the individual to develop an immune response.

-This refers to the production of active immunity.

Immunizations

-Refers to the production of both active and passive immunity.

Active Immunity

-Develops in response to infection or administration of a vaccine.

-The result is the production of antibodies.

-Takes weeks to months to develop and is long-lasting.

Passive Immunity

-Gives a pt. pre-formed antibodies.

-Protects immediately, but only lasts as long as the antibodies remain in the body.

-Specific immune globulins.

MMR: Measles, Mumps, & Rubella

-Given as a series of two doses at: 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years.

-Given as a weakened live virus.

-Life-long immunity.

-Side effects: soreness at injection site, low-grade fever.

-Watch for allergy to gelatin, neomycin.

Measles

-Virus

-S/s: fever, conjunctivits, red pinpoint rash (starts on face).

-Complications: pneumoniae, otitis media, encephalitis.

Mumps

-Virus

-Causes swelling of the parotid gland.

-Complications: meningitis, occhitis, fetal death (in pregnant pts).

Rubella (German Measles)

-Virus

-Causes light mild rash of face, mild lymph node involvement, occasional swelling of joints.

-Do not get pregnant three months following immunization.

DTaP: Diptheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis

-Series of 5 shots: 2-months, 4-months, 6-months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years.

-Made from a toxin.

-Side affects are rare: Soreness & pain at site, low grade fever, anaphylaxis reaction, encephalopathy.

-A booster is required every 10 years.

Diptheria

-Toxin released by corynebacterium diptheria.

-S/s: SOB and difficulty salling; also effects the heart, kidney, & nervous systems.

Tetanus

-Toxin released by Clostridium tetani.

-Bacteria lives in soil and enters the body via puncture.

-S/s: muscle spasm, "lockjaw", can damage heart.

Pertussis

-Aka whooping cough.

-Very contagious.

-Caused by Bordetella pertussis.

-S/s: uncontrollable coughing, pneumonia, seizures.

Polio Vaccine

-Virus is highly contagious; attacks the CNS neurons that control skeletal muscle.

-Vaccine is a weakened virus.

-Watch for allergies to streptomycin, neomycin, or bacitracin.

Pneumococcus Vaccine

-Pneumococcus bacterium causes infections like: pneumoniae, meningitis, and sepsis.

-Vaccinate infants, children under 2, adults over 65, people with compromised immune systems.

-Side affects: Fever in 21%, pain/swelling at site.

Hib Vaccine

-Haemophilus influenza type B.

-Disease complications: Meningitis, sepsis, epiglottis, pneumoniae.

-Side effects: Pain, soreness at injection site, fever.

Meningoccus Vaccine

-Vaccinates against bacteria Neisseria meningitis.

-MPSV4 given only to children over 2 years old.

-Who gets it?: Children & adults without spleens, college freshman in dorms, people in contact with meningitis.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

-Given in a series of 2 shots: at 12 months and then 6 to 12 months later.

-Hepatis A can lead to a serious liver infection.

-Contacted through: sex & contaminated water/food.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

-A series of 3 injections: first at birth to 2 months, then 1 to 2 months after first, and last one at 6 to 18 months.

-Is the only vaccine that prevents cancer (liver).

Varicella (Chicken Pox) Vaccine

-Given between 1 to 12 years of age.

-For adolescents or adults, it is two injections 4 to 8 weeks apart.

-Made from a weakened virus.

-Avoid aspirin or other salicylates for 6 weeks.

-Watch for hypersensitivity to neomycin or gelatin.

Influenza Vaccine

-Is recommended for all children ages 6 to 23 months.

Who gets it?: Children & adults with asthma, sickle cell, long-term heart, lung, or diabetes and members in the same household, adults over 50.

Rotovirus

-Infects intestinal mucosa; is the most common diarrheal pathogen.

-RotaTeq is a live oral virus.

-Single 2 mL dose, times 3 doses.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

-Protects against cervical cancer and genital warts.

-Series of 3 shots: initial shot, one two months later, and the third six months after second.

-recommended for girls between 9 to 26 years (mainly between 11 to 12 years.)