Montgomery General Hospital

Leading non-profit and government healthcare organizations (as noted below) recommend the following immunizations and screenings.

Always check with your personal physician first before receiving immunizations, screenings or medical treatment.

Immunizations
The following immunization recommendations are from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Remember to keep track of your child's immunizations — it's the only way you can be sure your child is up-to-date.

Immunizations for Children

• Polio (OPV/IPV): At 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years.

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP): At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.

• Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td): At 11-16 years.

• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR): At 12-15 months and either 4-6 years or 11-12 years.

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months; or 2 months, 4 months and 12-15 months, depending on the vaccine type.

• Hepatitis B: At birth-2 months, 1-4 months, and 6-18 months. If missed, get 3 doses starting at age 11 years.

• Chickenpox (VZV): At 12-18 months. If missed, get between ages 11 and 12 years.

• Hepatitis A: At 24 months-12 years in selected areas.

• Pneumococcal disease (Prevnar™): At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months. If missed, talk to your healthcare provider.

Source: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

Screenings for Children

• Newborn Screening — Certain blood tests should be done before your baby is 7 days old. They are usually done just before your baby leaves the hospital. If the blood tests were done earlier than 24 hours after birth, a repeat test at 1 to 2 weeks of age is recommended. Common newborn screening tests include those for PKU, thyroid, and sickle cell disease.

• Blood Pressure — Your child should have blood pressure measurements regularly, starting at around 3 years of age. High blood pressure in children needs medical attention. It may be a sign of underlying disease and, if not treated, may lead to serious illness.

• Lead — Lead can harm your child, slowing physical and mental growth and damaging many parts of the body. The most common way children get lead poisoning is by being around old house paint that is chipping or peeling.

• Vision & Hearing — Your child's vision should be tested before starting school, at about 3 or 4 years of age. Your child may also need vision tests as he or she grows. Some authorities also recommend hearing testing beginning at 3 to 4 years of age.

• Anemia (Blood) Test — Your child may need to be tested for anemia ("low blood") when he or she is still a baby (usually around the first birthday). Children may also need this test as they get older. Some children are more likely to get anemia than others. Ask your healthcare provider about anemia testing.

• Tuberculosis (TB) Skin Test — Children may need this test if they have had close contact with a person who has TB, live in an area where TB is more common than average (such as a Native American reservation, a homeless shelter, or an institution), or have recently moved from Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, or the Pacific Islands.

Source: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

Adults

Immunizations for Adults

• Tetanus-diphtheria shot — Everyone needs this every 10 years.

• Rubella (German measles) shot — If you are a woman who is considering pregnancy and you have not had a shot for German measles, you should talk to your provider.

• Pneumococcal (pneumonia) shot — Everyone needs this one time at about age 65.

• Influenza (flu) shots — Everyone more than age 65 needs this every year. If you have lung, heart or kidney disease, diabetes, HIV, or cancer you may need pneumococcal and flu shots before age 65. Healthcare workers may also benefit from annual flu shots.

• Hepatitis B — If you have contact with human blood or body fluids you may be at risk for hepatitis B. You may also be at risk if you have unprotected sex or share needles during intravenous drug use. Hepatitis B shots will protect you. Healthcare workers should also consider getting hepatitis B shots. Discuss this with your provider.

Source: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

Screenings for Adults

• Blood pressure — Ask your provider how often you need your blood pressure checked and what a healthy blood pressure for you is.

• Cholesterol — Having your cholesterol checked is important, especially if you are a man age 35-65 or a woman age 45-65.

• Weight — You should have your weight checked regularly by your healthcare provider.

• Colorectal cancer — If you are 50 years of age or older, you should have tests regularly to detect it.

• Oral healthcare — Visit your dentist regularly for checkups.

• Mammograms — Women ages 40-50 should discuss when to begin getting mammograms with their healthcare provider. All women should begin having mammograms regularly by age 50.

• Pap smears — Women should talk to their healthcare provider about how often you need Pap smears.

Immunizations for Seniors
The Federal Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly encourage older adults to be immunized against:

• Flu
• Pneumococcal disease
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Chickenpox
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella

Screenings for Seniors

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Weight
• Oral healthcare
• Vision

Source: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality