Vaccines

Vaccines protect you from highly contagious diseases that have serious health consequences. Make sure your child is current on all vaccines by contacting ADM Parham Pediatrics in Henrico, Virginia. Board-certified pediatrician Usama Samman, MBBCH, MD, FAAP, ensures your child gets the necessary vaccines according to their age and health status. Call today or use the online tool to schedule your child’s vaccine review today.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines are one of the most effective strategies for reducing or eliminating the spread of serious diseases. They create disease resistance. Vaccines need to continue to be administered until a disease is completely eradicated. 

A vaccine works to stimulate your immune system. They contain a small trace of the disease-causing virus. Usually, it’s a weakened variant or a lab-made sample. This trace amount of the virus causes your body to create antibodies to protect you from the disease. So, if you come into contact with the virus in the future, you have defenses against serious infection. 

Vaccines don’t always offer 100% protection against infection, but they help symptoms of the disease feel much milder than they were if you were not vaccinated. Each vaccine is different. Some are given once and protect you from a specific disease for a lifetime; others require boosters or additional doses to keep you protected. 

The influenza, or flu, vaccine changes every year in line with the strain that’s most prevalent.

Why are vaccines necessary?

Vaccines help stop major outbreaks of highly contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including mumps, measles, and whooping cough. 

Schools and other institutions make vaccines necessary for students to protect their safety and the safety of others.

Vaccines also protect the immunocompromised members of the population. Vaccines protect those who can’t get vaccines or are especially vulnerable to complications if they should acquire an infection by preventing epidemics.

What vaccines should my child receive?

Children receive most of their vaccines within the first three years of life. 

The most important vaccines recommended by major health organizations include:

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Rotavirus
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Pneumococcal
• Haemophilus influenzae type B
• Poliovirus

Other important vaccines include the yearly flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine, meningitis vaccine, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. If you’re unsure what vaccines your child has received, make an appointment at ADM Parham Pediatrics. Dr. Samman can advise you on the most essential vaccines and will help your child maintain good long-term health.

If your child is due for their vaccines, contact ADM Parham Pediatrics today or use the online tool to schedule an appointment.