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—Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) Vaccine

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ICD10

  • Z23

  • 90715

1. Why get vaccinated?

Tdap vaccine can prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.

  • 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.

  • DIPHTHERIA (D) can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, or death.

  • 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. Tdap vaccine

Tdap is only for children 7 years and older, adolescents, and adults.

Adolescents should receive a single dose of Tdap, preferably at age 11 or 12 years.

Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis.

Adults who have never received Tdap should get a dose of Tdap.

Also, adults should receive a booster dose every 10 years, or earlier in the case of a severe and dirty wound or burn. Booster doses can be either Tdap or Td (a different vaccine that protects against tetanus and diphtheria but not pertussis).

Tdap 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:

  • 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.

  • Has had a coma, decreased level of consciousness, or prolonged seizures within 7 days after a previous dose of any pertussis vaccine (DTP, DTaP, or Tdap).

  • Has seizures or another nervous system problem.

  • Has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also called GBS).

  • Has had severe pain or swelling after a previous dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus or diphtheria.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone Tdap vaccination to 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 before getting Tdap vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more information.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

  • Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, feeling tired, and nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomachache sometimes happen after Tdap vaccine.

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 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 website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccine

04/01/2020

42 U.S.C § 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 www.immunize.org/vis

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

 

Transit Office Hours

4899 Transit Road Depew, NY 14043

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

(716) 558-5437