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| | | Childhood immunizations consist of vaccines made of weakened or "killed" versions of certain disease-causing bacteria and viruses. They stimulate the child's immune system to build up antibodies to the diseases, and make it much less likely the child ever will contract the disease. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Immunizations for the first year cost at least $620, while the average total cost for all vaccines needed during childhood and adolescence is about $1,170. The total cost includes the cost of the vaccine itself and administration by a health care professional.
- Most private health insurance -- about 80 percent -- covers baby immunizations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and required by schools. However, a small percentage of plans either do not cover childhood immunizations or do not offer adequate coverage; for example, some plans do not cover the chicken pox vaccine. So, it is important to find out ahead of time which vaccines are covered; if your insurance does not cover a certain vaccine, it might be possible to get a referral from your doctor to a public clinic or to get a low-cost dose from a government source that your own doctor could administer.
- For parents whose babies are covered by health insurance, the average out-of-pocket vaccine cost for the first year of life is $242, including co-pays for the four or five well baby visits where the shots usually are administered, according to one study published in the journal Pediatrics.
What should be included: | - At birth, your baby should receive the hepatitis B vaccine. Then, between one and two months, your baby should receive a second dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine.
- At about two months of age, your baby should receive the DtaP vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine, the Hib vaccine, the polio vaccine and the rotovirus vaccine.
- At about four months of age, your baby should receive second doses of all of the vaccines received at two months.
- At about six months of age, your baby should receive third doses of the following vaccines: DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal and rotavirus.
- Between six and 18 months your baby should receive a third dose of the polio vaccine and also of the Hepatitis B vaccine. And between 12 and 15 months, your baby should receive the MMR vaccine. Your baby also should receive fourth doses of the Hib and pneumococcal vaccines as well as the varicella, or chickenpox, vaccine.
- Keep in mind that your child will need regular vaccinations until at least age 11 or 12.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a guide to childhood immunizations. And BabyCenter.com offers a personalized immunization schedule tool.
Additional costs: | - The influenza vaccine should be given yearly before flu season starting at six months of age.
Discounts: | - The CDC's Vaccines for Children Program offers free or low-cost vaccines at many doctors' offices and clinics for qualifying and children, including the uninsured. Many local health departments offer free shots. For more information, you can call the CDC at 1-888-232-6348.
Shopping for baby immunizations: | - Usually, the same pediatrician who handles your well baby visits will do vaccinations too. To find a pediatrician, ask a friend or family member for a referral. Or, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers a pediatrician locator service by state.
- When you find a prospective pediatrician, check credentials to make sure the doctor is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Board of Family Medicine.
- It also is a good idea to meet your prospective pediatrician face-to-face. Observe the waiting room and ask questions about background, areas of interest, how the doctor can be reached after-hours in an emergency, how many doctors are in the office, whether the child will be able to see the same doctor for well and sick visits and how long a typical appointment lasts. WebMD.com offers a guide to selecting a pediatrician.
- Despite some parents' concerns about vaccine safety, it is strongly recommended that, in most cases, parents vaccinate their children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on why to immunize, vaccine safety information for parents and information on who should not be vaccinated.
- BabyCenter.com has an FAQ on vaccines.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For medical decisions, always consult your physician for the right course for your infant or child.
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Article updated September 2008 |
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