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Are you having back pain with any of the following?

  • Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
  • Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
  • Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
  • A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.

We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.

We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.

Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.

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Infants and Toddlers

As a parent of a baby or toddler, you may have many questions about your young ones’ development. Whether your questions are about safety, nutrition, growth, development, or sleeping through the night, we’re here to help.

Immunizations for Young Children (Birth to 6 Years) [Read/Print full article]

Overview

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One of the best ways to keep your child healthy is to stay up to date with your child's recommended immunizations (vaccinations).

Immunizations are given to prevent diseases that are still common in our communities but are preventable with vaccination. Timely immunizations prevent disease and keep your child, your family, and the community healthy.

A vaccine is made from weakened or killed bacteria or viruses that cause a specific disease. When your child gets a vaccine, his or her immune system will make antibodies to fight the disease. When children are later exposed to that disease, their antibodies will help their immune systems to prevent the bacteria or viruses from causing an infection.

Vaccine benefits

Immunizations help children stay healthy, and they are safe and effective. In fact, serious side effects are no more common than those from other types of medication. Overall, it is more dangerous for a child to risk getting ill with the disease than it is to risk having a reaction to the vaccine.

Diseases like measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox are still common in our communities but are preventable with vaccination. Kids who are not immunized can become very sick from these diseases and infect others.

The single best way to prevent these and other illnesses, like the flu, is by keeping up with your child's immunizations. If you are Kaiser Permanente member, you can set up access to your child's immunizaton information online, making it easier to keep track of which shots your child has received and which may be due.

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Recommended Vaccines

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We recommend a series of vaccines for children between birth and 6 months of age, to protect them from 8 serious diseases. Children will also get at least one booster dose of most of these vaccines when they are older.

We follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended schedule for vaccines. For more information and a complete schedule, please see www.vaccines.gov. Young children need the following immunizations:

  • Hepatitis A (HAV): Protects against the hepatitis A virus, which causes liver disease. This vaccination should be given to all children starting at age 1 year and to children ages 2 to 18 who have not been previously vaccinated. There are 2 shots in this series.
  • Hepatitis B (HBV): Protects against hepatitis B virus, which causes liver disease. This vaccine must be given 3 times, usually between birth and 2 years.
  • Rotavirus: Protects against rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea in babies and toddlers. This vaccine is given 2-3 times during your child's first 6 months.
  • Diphtheria / tetanus / pertussis (DTaP): Protects against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough). This shot is given 5 times between birth and 6 years, with a booster shot at 11 to 12 years of age. According to a new study led by a vaccine research team at Kaiser Permanente Colorado’s Institute for Health Research, children of parents who refuse vaccines are 23 times more likely to get whooping cough compared to fully immunized children.
  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): Protects against measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (German measles). MMR is given twice before your child is 6 years old.
  • Pneumococcal: Protects against some brain, blood, lung, and ear infections. Recommended for all children under 2 years of age. An additional booster may be given to children less than 5 years of age.
  • Influenza (flu): Protects against common strains of flu, including the H1N1 flu strains. All children 6 months to 18 years old should receive a yearly flu vaccination. Children with certain chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable to serious complications from influenza.
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB): Protects against a major cause of spinal meningitis. The HiB vaccine can be given at 2, 4, 6, and between 12 and 15 months. HiB must be given 4 times during your child's first 18 months.
  • Polio (IPV): Protects against polio. IPV is a killed virus vaccine and is given as a shot. IPV is recommended for almost all individuals in the United States. This vaccine must be given 4 times during the first 6 years of your child’s life.
  • Varicella zoster (chickenpox): Children who have never had chickenpox should get 2 doses of the vaccine: one at 12 to 15 months, and another booster dose before kindergarten. Anyone 13 and older needs 2 doses at least one month apart. If your child has not had chickenpox or the varicella vaccine, ask your doctor to schedule this shot as soon as possible. The varicella vaccine is required before a child can enter school or childcare.

It is important to keep a personal record of your child's immunizations and remember to bring it with you to your child's next well check appointment with us. It helps us confirm the accuracy of your child's shot record.

  • Prevention information, which includes the most important vaccinations for your child, is printed at the bottom of the registration slip you are given at every visit.
  • In most cases, your child cannot enroll in school or child care without these shots.

If you are a Kaiser Permanente member yourself, you can also keep track of your child's immunizations, once you sign up to manage your child's health care online using our Act for a Family Member feature. If you are not a Kaiser Permanente member or aren't able to set up access on line, you can also contact our Appointment and Advice line for this information. 

  • If you know your child needs immunizations but is not due for a well check appointment, some clinics offer shots on a drop-in basis.
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Side Effects

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Many parents find it stressful to watch their child receive vaccination shots. Babies often cry and may be fussy after receiving shots. Talk to us about giving your baby acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling from shots. Our Pediatric Dosage Guide can help you determine the right amount to give your child.

Most children do not experience any side effects from immunizations. Around 2 percent of babies do have mild side effects, which will clear up without treatment.

After receiving immunizations, there is a chance that your baby may have:

  • Pain, soreness, or redness where the shot was given
  • More fussing or sleepiness than usual
  • Less interest in eating
  • A low-grade fever (watch our video on Taking Your Baby's Temperature)
  • A mild, noncontagious rash that goes away on its own (after receiving the measles and chickenpox vaccines)
Home treatment

To help with the side effects, you can:

  • Apply a cold compress to the injection site (after 24 to 48 hours heat may feel better).
  • Give your child a warm bath before bedtime.
  • Remove bandages.

If your child has a fever or is uncomfortable after he or she receives shots, you can give your child acetaminophen drops once you return home. Do not give aspirin to anyone under age 20. Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months.

More serious side effects are rare. If your child experiences a reaction to any vaccination, such as a high fever, trouble breathing, or any other unusual symptoms, or if you are worried that your child seems sick, contact us right away.

Remember, it is much more dangerous for a child to risk getting the diseases than it is to risk having a reaction to the vaccine.

Additional References:

Vaccine Safety

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Many parents have questions about immunizations. Are they safe and effective? Why so many shots?

Vaccines are held to the highest standard of safety. The United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history. Years of testing are required by law before a vaccine can be licensed. Once in use, vaccines are continually monitored for safety and efficacy.

Immunizations, like any medication, can cause reactions. However, a decision not to immunize a child also involves risk. It is a decision to put the child and others who come into contact with him or her at risk of contracting a disease that could be dangerous or deadly. Consider these key facts:

  • Medical experts are constantly reviewing the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Giving your child the right immunizations at the right time protects against serious diseases.
  • Diseases like measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox are still common in our communities but are preventable with vaccination. Kids who are not immunized can become very sick from these diseases and infect others. The single best way to prevent these and other illnesses, like the flu, is by getting your child immunized.
  • All vaccines currently being given to children under 3 years old are FDA-approved and preservative-free (that is, they contain no mercury). The only frequently used vaccine that now contains detectable amounts of the preservative thimerosal, which contains mercury, is the flu shot for adults and older children. Studies have shown no connection between thimerosal and autism.
  • While autism is a serious public health concern, vaccines do not cause it. Over the last decade, the rates of autism have risen dramatically in many countries, including the United States. Some people have claimed that vaccines are the cause. However, hundreds of studies have shown no evidence that any vaccine or combination of vaccines causes autism. Do not postpone or avoid vaccines for your child. If you are concerned about autism, talk to us to learn more.

With so much information easily accessible through the Internet, it is difficult to know what sources to trust. I am here to answer your questions. Send me a secure e-mail with your concerns or questions about immunizations. I encourage you to talk with me.

Also, check out the list of dependable resources about vaccines I have gathered at the end of this article. These resources have the latest and most accurate information about vaccine safety and the recommended immunization schedule.

Additional References:

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If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.

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