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*

Protect Yourself and Help Protect Your Baby: Information for New Moms on the Tdap Vaccine

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Congratulations on your new baby! Your baby is the greatest gift you will ever receive. One of your biggest jobs as a parent is to keep your child safe and healthy. One way do this is to make sure your children get all the immunizations they need to protect them from different diseases. But did you know that there is an immunization that you as a parent should get to keep your children safe?

The following is information written by the American Academy of Pediatrics about the importance of Tdap immunization for new moms (and anyone else who will be in close contact with their newborns, including dads).

What is Tdap?

Tdap stands for 3 serious diseases.

Tetanus—also called lockjaw, a painful tightening of the muscles, including the jaw, which gets "locked" shut, making it impossible to open the mouth or swallow and can lead to death.
Diphtheria—a severe throat infection caused by a germ makes it difficult to breathe and can affect the heart and nervous system and can lead to death.
Pertussis—also called whooping cough, which causes severe coughing, vomiting, and trouble sleeping for months in adults. In infants this infection can cause sleep problems, severe cough, and pneumonia that last for months and can even lead to brain damage or death.

Bacteria cause all of these diseases. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

Why should new moms get vaccinated?

In their first 4 to 6 months, babies are more prone to infections because their immune systems are immature. Also, they haven't received their first few doses of the vaccine that protects them from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis yet. During this time, moms who haven't been immunized or may have lost their immunity from earlier immunizations could pick up these diseases and pass them on to their babies. This is why it's important for new moms to make sure they are protected. Check with your doctor to see if you need the Tdap vaccine.

Others who should get vaccinated

It is also recommended that anyone who will be in close contact with your baby be vaccinated as well. This includes dads, grandparents, other relatives, and child care providers younger than 64 years. They should ask their doctor if Tdap vaccine is needed. Other children in the family should be sure their tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis immunizations are up to date also.

When is Tdap recommended?

Before Tdap is recommended, your doctor will review your immunization history to decide if and when you should get the Tdap vaccine. For instance, if you have not received a pertussis vaccine since age 9 years, the timing for administration of Tdap is determined by your last tetanus vaccine booster dose. Tdap can be administered as early as 2 years since the last tetanus dose if needed, but a 5-year wait is usually recommended between the last tetanus vaccine and Tdap vaccine for all persons older than 10 years. For anyone older than 10 or 11 years, only a single dose of pertussis vaccine (Tdap) administered after age 10 years is needed.

Are there any dangers to getting the Tdap vaccine?

Like medicines, vaccines can cause allergic reactions in some people. However, this is very rare. Most side effects are mild and temporary and include

Pain at the injection site
Redness or swelling at the injection site
Mild fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting

Tell your doctor if have had problems with vaccines in the past.

Just one shot

Getting the Tdap vaccine now will give you 10 years or more of protection from these diseases and help you prevent passing them on to your new baby. Isn't it great to know that just one shot can help keep you and your new baby safe and healthy? For more information about this vaccine, talk with your doctor.