Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

The FDA has just approved the newest vaccine for kids combining the 6 most common immunizations for childhood illnesses: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis or whooping cough, hemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis B, and polio.  In the past, children would receive the DTaP vaccine, but then separate vaccines for polio, hemophilus influenza, and hepatitis.  Called Vaxelis, the vaccine is a 3 dose series to be given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.  An additional booster shot for pertussis must be given to complete the immunization against that disease. The addition of this vaccine should improve immunization rates by simplifying the schedule of shots for any given child.  It will be only somewhat simpler.  In addition to the Vaxelis series, children will still require separate shots for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), chickenpox (varicella), pneumococcal disease (Prevnar 13 and 23), human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis A (HepA), rotavirus (Rotarix), and the flu. Vidcast: https://youtu.be/qVQd9e7Un_g https://www.fda