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*

VIS—Influenza (Live, Intranasal) Vaccine

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1. Why get vaccinated?

Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza (flu).

Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of flu complications.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. If you have a medical condition, such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes, flu can make it worse.

Flu can cause fever and chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy nose. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Each year thousands of people in the United States die from flu, and many more are hospitalized. Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related visits to the doctor each year.

2. Live, attenuated influenza vaccine

CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated every flu season. Children 6 months through 8 years of age may need 2 doses during a single flu season. Everyone else needs only 1 dose each flu season.

Live, attenuated influenza vaccine (called LAIV) is a nasal spray vaccine that may be given to non-pregnant people 2 through 49 years of age.

It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop after vaccination.

There are many flu viruses, and they are always changing. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to protect against three or four viruses that are likely to cause disease in the upcoming flu season. Even when the vaccine doesn't exactly match these viruses, it may still provide some protection.

Influenza vaccine does not cause flu.

Influenza vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

3. Talk with your health care provider

Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting the vaccine:

Is younger than 2 years or older than 49 years of age.
Is pregnant.
Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of influenza vaccine, or has any severe, life-threatening allergies.
Is a child or adolescent 2 through 17 years of age who is receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing products.
Has a weakened immune system.
Is a child 2 through 4 years old who has asthma or a history of wheezing in the past 12 months.
Has taken influenza antiviral medication in the previous 48 hours.
Cares for severely immunocompromised persons who require a protected environment.
Is 5 years or older and has asthma.
Has other underlying medical conditions that can put people at higher risk of serious flu complications (such as lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, kidney or liver disorders, neurologic or neuromuscular or metabolic disorders).
Has had Guillain-Barré Syndrome within 6 weeks after a previous dose of influenza vaccine.

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

For some patients, a different type of influenza vaccine (inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccine) might be more appropriate than live, attenuated influenza vaccine.

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

Your health care provider can give you more information.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

Runny nose or nasal congestion, wheezing and headache can happen after LAIV.
Vomiting, muscle aches, fever, sore throat and cough are other possible side effects.

If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after vaccination and are mild and short-lived.

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 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. 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. There is a time limit to file a claim for compensation.

7. How can I learn more?

Ask your health care provider.
Call your local or state health department.
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
- Visit CDC's influenza website at www.cdc.gov/flu

Vaccine Information Statement

Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine

8/15/2019

42 U.S.C. Ã�� 300aa-26

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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.