Is it safe to immunize my baby during the COVID-19 pandemic?

By Carolina Boyd, Communications Associate

During this time in which we are all focused on COVID-19 concerns, many parents are wondering if they should still vaccinate their babies.  It’s an important question as the United States observes National Infant Immunization Week (April 25-May 2, 2020).

The yearly observance highlights the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases.  Vaccines have drastically reduced infant deaths and disability caused by preventable diseases in the U.S.

While there are many reasons to be cautious during this uncertain time, postponing early vaccines for babies and young children could create a vaccine gap and possibly expose your child to life threatening diseases like measles, pertussis or pneumococcus.

For children older than 2 years, waiting a little while to vaccinate may be fine in some cases. However, for some children with special health conditions, or those who are behind on immunizations, waiting is not a good idea. Below are Legacy Community Health’s guidelines for immunizing your child.

All babies should receive their first shot of Hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. Between the first to second months of life, your baby should receive these vaccines to protect them from the following diseases:

• Pediatrix: combined Hepatitis B (HepB)  (2^nd dose), Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP) (1^st dose) and Polio (IPV)  (1^st dose)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib) (1^st dose)
• Pneumococcal disease (PCV13) (1^st dose)
• Rotavirus (RV)  (1^st dose)

At 4 months, your baby should receive vaccines to help protect against the following diseases:

• Pediatrix: combined Hepatitis B (HepB)  (3^rd dose), Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP) (2^nd dose), Polio (IPV)  (2^nd  dose)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib) (2^nd dose)
• Pneumococcal disease (PCV13) (2^nd dose)
• Rotavirus (RV) (2^nd dose) (Legacy gives a two dose series so a third dose isn’t necessary)

At 6 months of age, your baby should receive vaccines to protect them from the following diseases:

• Pediatrix: combined Hepatitis B (HepB)  (4th dose), Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP) and polio (3^rd dose)
• Haemophilus Influenza type b disease (Hib) (3^rd dose)
• Pneumococcal disease (PCV13) (3^rd dose)

Starting at age 6 months, your baby should receive the flu vaccine for the first time. Between 12 and 24 months of age, your baby should receive vaccines to protect them from the following diseases:

• Chickenpox (Varicella) (1^st dose)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP) (4^th dose)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib) (4^th dose)
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (1^st dose)
• Pneumococcal disease (PCV13) (4^th dose)
• Hepatitis A (HepA) (1^st dose)
• Influenza (Flu) (every year)

If you are concerned about keeping your child safe while visiting our clinics during this global pandemic, rest assured that at Legacy we have implemented additional patient and visitor safety measures, including:

• Screening all patients and staff at doors before they enter our clinics, as well as positioning screeners in well-patient waiting areas.
• Increasing the cleaning and disinfecting of clinics.
• Implementing appropriate spacing within the clinics to limit any potential COVID-19 spread.
• Requesting patients to limit the number of guests they bring with them into clinics.
• Providing telemedicine for behavioral health patients to reduce potential exposure.
• Asking more Legacy staff to work remotely.

If you have questions or concerns about vaccinating your child during COVID-19 concerns, the best thing is to contact your child’s Legacy pediatrician or provider to discuss your particular situation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 832-548-5000.