Immunizations

Pediatricenter’s Immunization Policy

Pediatricenter of Greater Cleveland follows the immunization guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  The CDC vaccine schedule can be found here CDC vaccine schedule, which can be found here.  For information about these vaccines and the diseases they prevent, please visit HealthyChildren.org.

For detailed vaccine informational sheets published by the CDC, please visit CDC Vaccine Information Sheets.

As parents, we want to do what is best for our children.  We understand some parents may have concerns about vaccines.  Our philosophy regarding vaccines is that all children should receive the recommended vaccines according to the guidelines provided by the AAP and CDC.  Vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in preventing life-threatening infections, diseases and health complications in children and young adults.  By keeping your kids up-to-date with their vaccinations, you are not only protecting their health, but also the health of those around them.  We are happy to discuss the benefits of vaccinating your child at his or her next visit.  

Influenza Vaccine

Starting every fall and continuing throughout the winter, Pediatricenter recommends the influenza vaccine to all of our patients (with rare exceptions) 6 months of age and older.  When it's the first time your child is getting a flu shot under the age of 8 years old, he or she should receive two doses of the vaccine separated by at least 4 weeks (this includes patients receiving a flu vaccine for the first time the previous year who only received one dose). 

This year, Pediatricenter has the trivalent flu vaccine (protecting against 3 strains of influenza).  The flu vaccine can be given at your child’s scheduled check-ups, or can be given at a separate flu shot appointment (to schedule this, please call the office of your choosing). 

Here is the vaccine information sheet from the CDC for the injectable flu vaccine we are offering:

CDC VIS sheet

and please visit the CDC's website for information about signs and symptoms of influenza: 

CDC Influenza page

RSV Shot

During the months of October-March, Pediatricenter will have the Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) shot available for infants up to 8 months of age (and some older high-risk children up to 24 months of age) to help prevent against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the virus that causes bronchiolitis.  This is a one-time shot given to infants to help prevent severe RSV disease and hospitalization.  This shot is recommended to be given to infants within the first week of life, but can be given any time prior to infants turning 8 months of age during the months of October-March.  Of note, if an infant’s mom has received the maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo), the infant does not need to receive the Beyfortus shot.

Please call our office with any questions regarding this vaccine, or visit the CDC’s website for more information:

https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/vaccine-clinical-guidance/infants-young-children.html

COVID-19 Vaccine

Pediatricenter is happily offering COVID vaccines to patients as young as 6 months.  We are offering the Pfizer vaccine, which is a 3-shot series over the course of approximately 3 months for our 6 month old to 4 year 11 month old patients.  COVID vaccines for 5 year-olds and up are a 2 shot series 3 weeks apart.  The COVID booster is also available for our patients ages 5 years and up. 

For further questions about the COVID-19 virus, please visit the following resources:

University Hospitals:  University Hospitals COVID FAQ

Ohio Department of Health: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634)

Centers for Disease Control:  CDC COVID-19 FAQ