Your Baby Week Seven

Although you baby likely got his first Hepatitis B vaccine when he was still in the nursery, he won't get his first "set" of shots until he is two months old.

That is coming up though in just a week, so it is a good idea to review some information about the vaccines your baby is about to receive.

Immunization Schedule

As a part of the recommended childhood immunization schedule, your baby will likely receive the following immunizations at his two-month checkup:

• Rota (Rotavirus or RotaTeq)
• DTaP
• Hib
• Prevnar (PCV7)
• HepB (Hepatitis B)
• IPV (Inactivated Polio)

Combination Shots

Fortunately, just because your baby is getting six vaccines at his two-month checkup, that doesn't mean that he is getting six shots. In addition to the "Rota" or rotavirus vaccine being an oral vaccine, many of the other vaccines are available in combination with each other.

Commonly used combination vaccines include:

• Pediarix (a combination of DTaP, IPV, and HepB)
• Comvax (a combination of Hib and HepB)

Use of either Pediarix or Comvax can mean your baby gets one or two fewer shots at his next few visits to the pediatrician.

Vaccine Information Statements

Pediatricians are supposed to provide parents with Vaccine Information Sheets (VISs) for each vaccine that they give a child. These provide information about the benefits and risks of each vaccine and area a great resource.

Unfortunately, parents often get them at about the same time their baby is going to get their vaccines and don't have a lot of time to review them. You can read the Vaccine Information Sheets online in advance of your appointment so that you are prepared before your next visit.