Child Vaccinations
At Primary Care Partners of South Bend, we know that every parent wants to make informed decisions about their child’s health. Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to protect kids and teens, their families, and the broader community. While all medical care involves some level of risk, vaccinations play an important role in preventing serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses throughout childhood and adolescence. To learn more about recommended pediatric vaccination schedules, please refer to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.
While we respect that parents make medical decisions for their children, Primary Care Partners of South Bend requires kids and teens in our care to receive state-required vaccinations. Choosing not to vaccinate reflects a difference in care philosophy from our practice. Other vaccines, such as influenza, are recommended but not required. If you have questions or concerns about vaccinations for kids and teens, please contact us at (574) 251-1200 or reach out online.
Protection
Vaccinating kids and teens helps protect them from diseases they may encounter at school, in social settings, and in everyday life. Vaccinations also help reduce the spread of illness within the community, protecting others who may be more vulnerable. The risks associated with vaccination are significantly lower than the risks posed by the diseases they are designed to prevent.
Recommended Vaccines
Kids and teens require several vaccinations throughout childhood and adolescence to support long-term health and protection. Primary Care Partners of South Bend follows the vaccine schedule and recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics for all pediatric patients. These guidelines are based on extensive research and are designed to provide timely and effective protection as children grow.
If you have questions about the recommended schedule or specific vaccines, our team is happy to discuss them with you.
Vaccine Contraindication
In rare cases, a vaccine may not be the safest option for an individual child or teen due to specific medical conditions or contraindications. Our providers carefully consider each patient’s medical history and any potential risks before administering a vaccine. We encourage parents to share any concerns or relevant health information with our team so we can make the most informed decisions together.
Types of Vaccinations
We believe it is important for parents to understand the vaccines their child receives. There are four main types of vaccines used in pediatric care.
Attenuated (weakened) Vaccines
Some vaccines use small doses of live viruses. These immunizations are very similar to the disease they are fighting. They are very effective and provide lifelong immunity. Attenuated vaccines are used to fight MMR, chickenpox, and rotavirus.
Killed (Inactivated) Vaccines
Killed vaccines use dead forms of the virus. They have less long-lasting protection, which is why multiple doses may be necessary. These are vaccines like Hepatitis A, flu, and polio shots.
Toxoid Vaccines
Toxoid immunizations use the harmful product of a germ to protect only against the parts of that germ that cause disease. This is the type of vaccine used for the DTaP vaccine.
Conjugate Vaccines
Some vaccines use bacteria in combination with proteins. This provides strong protection from the key harmful parts of the germ. By using specific parts of the germ, they also have a long-lasting effect. Additionally, these vaccines can be given to almost every immune system. These are vaccines like the Hib, Hepatitis B, HPV, pneumococcal, and meningococcal.
