Protect your newborn from these preventable diseases
You’ve eaten the right foods, gone to all your checkups, and babyproofed your home. Now your bundle of joy has finally arrived. And one of the best ways to continue to protect their health is through routine immunizations.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccines are the most effective way to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccines are also thoroughly tested to ensure they are safe. Here are 6 vaccines children need by 2 months to help them get a healthy head start.
HepB – The hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine should be given within the first 24 hours of birth, with a follow-up dose at 2 months. This vaccine protects against the HepB virus, which can cause liver failure. HepB is passed through blood and bodily fluids. The virus can live on the surface of the skin for a month. That’s why it’s important for those who are pregnant to also get vaccinated, if they aren’t already, to avoid passing it on to their babies.
DTaP – The diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is a four-dose series that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis – also known as whooping cough. These diseases are caused by bacteria and can lead to damage in the nerves, heart, kidneys, and lungs. Whooping cough can be especially dangerous for babies. Your newborn should get their first dose at the 2-month mark.
Rotavirus – The rotavirus (RV) vaccine protects your newborn from a highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea. This vaccine is oral and can be given as a two- or three-dose series, depending on which brand is available, starting at 2 months old.
Polio – While polio might seem like a disease of the past, the threat is still very real. Symptoms can include fever, neurological damage, paralysis, and even death. The three-dose series of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is 99% effective in preventing disease. The IPV series should start at 2 months old.
PCV – The pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) protects your newborn from pneumococcal disease, which can cause lung and blood infections and bacterial meningitis. Children under 2 years of age are most at risk for getting sick. This four-dose series starts at 2 months old.
Hib – The Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine protects against a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, hearing loss, and epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is inflammation of the flap at the base of the tongue that keeps food from entering the trachea. This is a four-dose series that should start at 2 months of age.
If you have any concerns or are behind schedule on your newborn’s immunizations, talk to your child’s pediatrician. They can answer questions and help you make sure your newborn is up to date on their shots. Remember, skipping vaccines and not completing a series can increase risk of infection in your child.
Need a pediatrician? Use our Find a doctor tool to locate one in your plan’s network.
Blue Shield of California is not a healthcare provider and does not provide medical advice. This is for informational purposes only. Consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions.
The company complies with applicable state laws and federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic group identification, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, religion, sex, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental disability, or physical disability. La compañía cumple con las leyes de derechos civiles federales y estatales aplicables, y no discrimina, ni excluye ni trata de manera diferente a las personas por su raza, color, país de origen, identificación con determinado grupo étnico, condición médica, información genética, ascendencia, religión, sexo, estado civil, género, identidad de género, orientación sexual, edad, ni discapacidad física ni mental. 本公司遵守適用的州法律和聯邦民權法律，並且不會以種族、膚色、原國籍、族群認同、醫療狀況、遺傳資訊、血統、宗教、性別、婚姻狀況、性別認同、性取向、年齡、精神殘疾或身體殘疾而進行歧視、排斥或區別對待他人。
© California Physicians' Service DBA Blue Shield of California 1999-2023. All rights reserved. California Physicians’ Service DBA Blue Shield of California is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association. Health insurance products are offered by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company. Health plans are offered by Blue Shield of California.
