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*
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine (VIS)
View spanish version, share, or print this article.
ICD10
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Z23 -
90700 -
90696 -
90697 -
90723 -
90698
1. Why get vaccinated?
DTaP vaccine can prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.
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DIPHTHERIA (D) can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, or death.
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TETANUS (T) causes painful stiffening of the muscles. Tetanus can lead to serious health problems, including being unable to open the mouth, having trouble swallowing and breathing, or death.
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PERTUSSIS (aP), also known as "whooping cough," can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing which makes it hard to breathe, eat, or drink. Pertussis can be extremely serious in babies and young children, causing pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage, or death. In teens and adults, it can cause weight loss, loss of bladder control, passing out, and rib fractures from severe coughing.
2. DTaP vaccine
DTaP is only for children younger than 7 years old. Different vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap and Td) are available for older children, adolescents, and adults.
It is recommended that children receive 5 doses of DTaP, usually at the following ages:
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2 months
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4 months
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6 months
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15-18 months
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4-6 years
DTaP may be given as a stand-alone vaccine, or as part of a combination vaccine (a type of vaccine that combines more than one vaccine together into one shot).
DTaP 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:
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Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis, or has any severe, life-threatening allergies.
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Has had a coma, decreased level of consciousness, or prolonged seizures within 7 days after a previous dose of any pertussis vaccine (DTP or DTaP).
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Has seizures or another nervous system problem.
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Has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also called GBS).
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Has had severe pain or swelling after a previous dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus or diphtheria.
In some cases, your child's health care provider may decide to postpone DTaP vaccination to a future visit.
Children with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Children who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting DTaP.
Your child's health care provider can give you more information.
4. Risks of a vaccine reaction
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Soreness or swelling where the shot was given, fever, fussiness, feeling tired, loss of appetite, and vomiting sometimes happen after DTaP vaccination.
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More serious reactions, such as seizures, non-stop crying for 3 hours or more, or high fever (over 105ÃF) after DTaP vaccination happen much less often. Rarely, the vaccine is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg, especially in older children when they receive their fourth or fifth dose.
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Very rarely, long-term seizures, coma, lowered consciousness, or permanent brain damage may happen after DTaP vaccination.
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
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
7. How can I learn more?
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Ask your health care provider.
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Call your local or state health department.
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Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
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Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
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Visit CDC's website at
www.cdc.gov/vaccines
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Vaccine Information Statement (inTerim)
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus) Vaccine
04/01/2020
42 U.S.C Ã 300aa-26
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease and Prevention
Many Vaccine Information Statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See
Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite