Some vaccines, like those for measles and hepatitis B, create lifelong immunity. Others, like tetanus, require booster shots. And some, like pertussis, do wear off, but not until the child is older and less vulnerable to the disease.

The Department of Human Services Public Health Division offers immunization clinics for school age children... More Info > >

Children in Philadelphia can be brought to any PDPH District Health Care Center to receive immunizations, without an appointment. Call 215-685-6791 to locate the center nearest to you and its hours of operation. Click here to see the Childhood Immunization Schedule.

It is important for volunteers to receive tetanus vaccination. This is for their own safety. We will not need proof of this.

Immunizations for pneumococcal disease (except for patients at particular risk for pneumococcal complications), measles, mumps and rubella are usually administered once, and offer protection for life. Some persons born after 1956 may require a second measles vaccination. Influenza vaccine must be administered yearly due to the new strains of virus which occur every year.

Without immunizations, your child can catch diseases that may cause high fever, coughing, choking, breathing problems, and even brain injury. These illnesses may leave your child deaf or blind, cause paralysis, and even death. Around 1960, there were over a half a million measles cases and more than 400 deaths associated with this disease. Thanks to immunization efforts, there were only 100 cases of measles in 1998 and zero deaths related to measles.

The medications prescribed to your child are as important as the new heart, and parents must be willing to strictly administer medications on time. The medications each child requires are individual, and over time certain medicines may not be necessary. You and your child must understand that not taking medications is not an option and could result in serious medical complications.

Both children and teenagers should visit our office every six months in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. Often we can arrest or stop a cavity early, thereby preventing the need to place a filling. » Return to Top

Immunization is one of the very best ways to keep your baby healthy. Once a baby is ill, it is usually too late to vaccinate. Not always. Childhood diseases can cause serious, permanent disabilities, like blindness, deafness, and mental retardation.

Once the surgery date is obtained you will need to make an appointment with your pediatrician. Please try to make this appointment for the week before surgery. The purpose of this visit is to ensure that your child is ready for surgery and does not have any colds, viruses, ear infections, strep throat, etc.

A check-up every six months is recommended in order prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your pediatric dentist can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.

Answer: The requirements for entry into school are at least 3 doses (4 required for Kindergarten only) of DTP, DT or TD (Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis); At least 3 doses of polio vaccine; 2 doses of Rubeola (measles) vaccine, 1 dose of Rubella (German measles) vaccine and 1 dose of Mumps vaccine (these three are commonly given as the MMR); 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine and 1 dose of Varicella (chicken Pox) vaccine (Note if >12 yrs old 2 doses of Varicella are required) or history of Chicken Po.

Learn why most people with grass pollen allergies or an allergy to a single cereal grain, such as wheat, can eat other cereal grains without problems. This is true even if a person has positive allergy tests to multiple food cereal grains.

Yes. A circumcision is not a bris. If a baby was circumcised in the hospital on the first or second day, even if someone recited prayers and blessings, that child still needs a Brit Milah because it took place before the eighth (or proper) day. A regular Brit Milah ceremony is held, but since the baby is already circumcised, a hatafat dam brit is performed. The blessings are recited, a drop of blood is drawn from the penis and the baby is named.

There are four reasons to wear an ocular prosthesis: Comfort, Cosmesis, plus continued Bony Orbital Wall, and Eyelid development. The first two reasons are of immediate importance for parent and child. Comfort is gained with a properly fitted prosthesis, (by relieving the physical stress caused by eye volume loss, and drooping of the eyelid). Cosmesis is recaptured with a lifelike appearance that is once more acceptable to you, your child and peers.

Children are prone to cavities between their teeth; tooth brushing alone will not adequately clean these spaces, and food and bacteria can build up between those teeth. You need to help your child until age 9 or so, since flossing requires a good deal of motor coordination.

A panorex X-ray allows us to find missing or extra teeth, teeth that are out of position (ectopic) or headed the wrong direction. Cysts, tumors and other abnormalities can be ruled out as well. We normally take a panorex for the first time at around age 9. If your child is a candidate for braces, a panorex is important prior to tooth movement. When your child reaches age 17 or so, a panorex allows us to check on the position of the developing wisdom teeth (third molars).

There is no set "list" of supplies that fits all students. Each school has its own list of items students need, and parents are encouraged to contact their child's school for that information.