Vaccinations Specialist
-
- Tweet
MD1CARE - Gold Pediatrics
Board Certified Pediatrician; Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine located in Bayside, NY
Vaccinating your child is an important part of preventive health care, and Marigold Castillo, MD, is available to answer all your questions after your child is born. At MD1CARE - Gold Pediatrics in Bayside, New York, Dr. Castillo and her staff provide the full schedule of vaccinations based on your child’s age and medical history and can help you complete the necessary paperwork for school and other organizations that require vaccination records. To make sure your child is caught up on all recommended vaccinations, schedule a consultation today by phone or using the online booking system.
Vaccinations Q & A
Why does my child need vaccinations?
Vaccines prevent contagious diseases from affecting your child’s health. Children generally receive vaccinations starting shortly after birth, with many recommended before your child reaches school age.
Children receive vaccinations in the earliest years of life when your baby’s immune system is still developing. Vaccinations help fight off potentially dangerous diseases and protect your child’s overall health.
How do vaccinations work?
Vaccinations contain antigens that help the body develop immunity to contagious disease. This allows your child to build up a tolerance to a variety of illnesses in the event they come into contact with them in the future.
Vaccinations are recommended to offer protection from conditions like:
- Polio
- Mumps
- Measles
- Influenza
- Chickenpox
- Hepatitis A and B
Vaccinations are also available for children to prevent against genital warts and cervical cancer that result from the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Are vaccines safe?
As a parent, you may have questions or concerns about the safety of vaccines. Dr. Castillo can address these issues during your appointment at MD1CARE.
While there are certain conditions that can make a child intolerant to vaccines, many children only experience mild side effects after a vaccination. These side effects include redness or swelling in the injection site that resolve on their own in a few days.
If your child can’t tolerate vaccines, Dr. Castillo can create an alternative treatment plan to keep your child safe from contagious disease.
When does my child need vaccinations?
Dr. Castillo administers vaccinations based on your child’s age, medical history, and the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Soon after birth, your baby receives several doses of the vaccine to protect against hepatitis B. Between birth and their second birthday, your child also receives the majority of vaccinations during their well-child visit or a specific vaccination appointment.
Before your child starts school, they need to be up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations. Additional vaccinations are needed around years 4-6 and 11-12 to protect against conditions like polio, measles, and mumps.
At age 16, additional meningococcal vaccines are available. Dr. Castillo also recommends that all children receive an annual flu shot. If you’re planning to travel out of the country, your child may also need additional vaccinations.
To ensure your child has all the immunizations they need to be healthy, and as required by their school, schedule a consultation at MD1CARE - Gold Pediatrics today using the online booking system or by calling Dr. Castillo’s Bayside office directly.
