Menu

Healthcare

Richfield Medical Group of Minnesota presents "A Young Parent's Guide: Which Shots Do My Kids Need? " with image of a child getting a vaccination

A Young Parents’ Guide: Which Shots Do My Kids Need?

, , , , , , 0

As a parent, you often have many thoughts and concerns about how to help keep your child healthy. Thankfully, many vaccinations and immunizations have been carefully developed to help your children live long, healthy lives. 

Different immunizations are recommended at various ages, especially for very young children. The recommended schedule can be different for everyone, but if your child is able to receive all of the recommended shots, they will be protected against 14 potentially serious diseases before they turn two years old. Your child’s vaccination schedule can depend on where you live, your child’s health, and the type of vaccine. Talk with your family doctor about the vaccinations your child will need and when they should receive them to come up with a timeline that best suits the health of your child.

Your Baby’s First Shot

Shortly after birth, the first shot or immunization your baby should receive is their first dose of Hepatitis B. This vaccine is often given within the first 12 hours after being born. This shot protects your child from getting Hepatitis B (HBIG) from you or other family members that may be affected. 

Shots to Receive Within the First Year

Other vaccines your baby should receive before their first birthday include, but are not limited to:

  • Hepatitis B 
  • Polio
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough
  • PCV13
  • Rotavirus
  • Influenza (flu)
  • Chickenpox
  • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis A

Continue to Keep Your Family’s Immunizations Updated

As our children get older, other vaccinations are needed to fight off potentially dangerous diseases. The CDC recommends that children receive the Influenza shot once every year, but other vaccinations that are important to help fight potential dangerous diseases as your child grows older include the HPV and Meningococcal disease vaccines.

If your child ever misses a vaccination, the best time for your child to catch up is between the ages of 13-18 years old. Keep record of the vaccinations your child receives throughout the years. This is especially important as colleges, technical schools, or universities check that all students have updated vaccinations before attending.

Richfield Medical Group Can Help

Connect with a healthcare provider to learn more about the shots your child needs and when. Whether you are looking for more information regarding the availability, necessity, and administration of immunizations, or you are seeking a trusted primary healthcare professional for your family, our doctors and understanding staff can help point you in the right direction for the treatment of your child. Contact us today at https://richfieldmedicalgroup.com/ to schedule your child for a hassle-free visit.

Richfield Medical Group of Minnesota presents " The Top 3 Reasons Why Schools Require Students to be Immunized "

Top 3 Reasons Why Schools Require Students To Be Immunized

, , , , 0

Vaccinations. The word has certainly taken on a new social and cultural significance in 2021. However, vaccines (also known as immunizations) have been around for many decades, and have been part of a recommended healthy lifestyle for just as long. Crippling diseases such as polio have been rendered practically nonexistent because of the medical breakthroughs immunizations provide.

Shortly after the influenza outbreak in the early 1920s, U.S. schools began requiring vaccinations for all students. While exceptions can be made to these requirements in most states on the grounds of medical risks, religious beliefs, or philosophical opinions, the majority of children are vaccinated. Here are the top 3 reasons why schools require vaccines.

1. Preventing Outbreaks

The most obvious reason to be vaccinated for a disease is to avoid contracting it. When students miss school due to illness, their studies can lag and they often fall behind. If an extremely contagious or deadly virus erupted in a school, the entire school might shut down for a time, and many people could become unhealthy. In the interest of preserving learning timelines, and the health of the students, schools hold fast to vaccine requirements to prevent the outbreak of certain illnesses.

2. Preserving Herd Immunity

A lesser known reason that vaccines are important for the greater public, not just for school administrations, is due to the concept of herd immunity. Herd immunity is the generalistic protection of a population from a disease due to a sufficient number of individuals possessing antibodies (whether by previous infection and recovery, or by immunization). Vaccinations ensure that a large portion of the population maintains immunity to certain contagious diseases, thus reducing their risk of detriment to the population as a whole. If immunizations were to cease completely, the number of immune individuals would plummet. And then, if the disease were to re-emerge later, an outbreak of substantial proportions could wreak havoc on the population due to a high number of vulnerable candidates.

3. Immunizations Are Less Expensive

Believe it or not, the technology that vaccines require for their development, distribution, and storage, is less costly than the alternative to them. In the case of a major outbreak, the medical system as well as individuals would absorb enormous healthcare costs. The cost of treating severely ill patients, coupled with the opportunity cost of their time spent immobilized and recovering, poses a serious financial threat.

Richfield Medical Group Can Help

Whether you are looking for more information regarding the availability, necessity, and administration of immunizations, or you are seeking a trusted primary healthcare professional for your family, Richfield Medical Group can help. Our doctors prioritize the health of you and your loved ones, and our approachable, understanding staff can help point you in the right direction for the treatment of your child. Contact us today at https://richfieldmedicalgroup.com/ to schedule your child for a hassle-free visit.

OUR LOCATION

RICHFIELD MEDICAL GROUP
6440 NICOLLET AVENUE
RICHFIELD, MN 55423

612-861-1622

Connect with Us

Back To Top