Vaccine Philosophy

The doctors at Genesee-Transit Pediatrics believe that immunizations are the single most important health service that we provide in order to give your child the best chance at a healthy life.  We firmly support the American Academy of Pediatrics and the medical evidence behind the academy’s position that childhood vaccinations are safe when given in the currently established schedule, and that vaccines do not cause autism or developmental delays.  We advocate for our patients, your children, on all aspects of providing care.  The strength of this conviction is unwavering, and that is why we strongly recommend following the childhood immunization schedule, as published.  We also, as parents, have followed the recommended schedule for our own children as well.

Thankfully, many parents and even pediatricians have not witnessed cases of diphtheria, tetanus, bacterial meningitis, epiglottitis, and measles because of the successful vaccination campaigns of the past.  We should not be casual about this issue nor let down our guard against these incapacitating and deadly illnesses.

Refusing or delaying vaccines puts your child and the children of your community at risk.  Currently about 10% of children in the United States are unvaccinated. With this statistic on the rise unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children no longer have the benefit of “herd immunity” to protect them from vaccine communicable diseases.  Non-immunized children become ill and allow these vaccine preventable illnesses to spread through a community. In the process, children with immune deficiencies or cancer, who are unable to receive vaccines, are susceptible, as well. This may be a child in your daughter’s classroom, a girl you pass by at the grocery store, or a boy sitting next to you in our waiting room.

You have put your trust in us to care for your children. Trust us to keep your children safe from vaccine communicable illnesses. Their lives may depend on it.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.

 

Darlene A. Dzik, MD, John A. Dzik, MD,
Khristina Kasuba, MD, & Alessandra M. Palma, MD



Immunization Schedule

Age Vaccination
Newborn Hepatitis B (offered at birth hospital)
2 months Pediarix(DTaP/Polio/Hepatitis B), Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
4 months Pediarix(DTaP/Polio/Hepatitis B), Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
6 months Pediarix(DTaP/Polio/Hepatitis B), Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
12 months MMR, Chicken Pox, Hepatitis A
15 months DTaP, HIB, Pneumococcal
18 months or 2 years Hepatitis A
4-5 years Kinrix(DTaP/Polio), Proquad(MMR/Chicken Pox)
10 years Tdap, HPV
11 years Meningococcal ACWY; HPV
16 years Meningococcal ACWY
16-18 years Meningococcal B
20 years Tdap

*6 months and older eligible for Flu vaccine and Covid vaccines*



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VIS—Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

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1. Why get vaccinated?

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can prevent pneumococcal disease.

Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. Pneumococcal bacteria are one of the most common causes of pneumonia.

Besides pneumonia, pneumococcal bacteria can also cause:

  • Ear infections

  • Sinus infections

  • Meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)

  • Bacteremia (infection of the blood)

Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but children under 2 years old, people with certain medical conditions or other risk factors, and adults 65 years or older are at the highest risk.

Most pneumococcal infections are mild. However, some can result in long-term problems, such as brain damage or hearing loss. Meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal disease can be fatal.

2. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine helps protect against bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease. There are three pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20). The different vaccines are recommended for different people based on their age and medical status.

PCV13

  • Infants and young children usually need 4 doses of PCV13, at ages 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months.

  • Older children (through age 59 months) may be vaccinated with PCV13 if they did not receive the recommended doses.

  • Children and adolescents 6-18 years of age with certain medical conditions should receive a single dose of PCV13 if they did not already receive PCV13.

PCV15 or PCV20

  • Adults 19 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions or other risk factors who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:

    • a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), or

    • a single dose of PCV20.

  • Adults 65 years or older who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:

    • a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of PPSV23, or

    • a single dose of PCV20.

Your health care provider can give you more information.

3. Talk with your health care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting the vaccine:

  • Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of any type of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, PCV15, PCV20, or an earlier pneumococcal conjugate vaccine known as PCV7), or to any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid (for example, DTaP), or has any severe, life-threatening allergies

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone pneumococcal conjugate vaccination until a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover.

Your health care provider can give you more information.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

  • Redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness where the shot is given, and fever, loss of appetite, fussiness (irritability), feeling tired, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and chills can happen after pneumococcal conjugate vaccination.

Young children may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever after PCV13 if it is administered at the same time as inactivated influenza vaccine. Ask your health care provider for more information.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical advice.

6. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

  • Ask your health care provider.

  • Call your local or state health department.

  • Visit the website of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for vaccine package inserts and additional information at www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

  • Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

    • Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

    • Visit CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

Disclaimer

Many vaccine information statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis.

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis.

Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

02/04/2022

42 U.S.C. Ã 300aa-26

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Transit Office Hours

4899 Transit Road Depew, NY 14043

Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm
Two Saturdays per month: 8am-12pm

(716) 558-5437