by Rouett Abouzelof, RN, MSN, CIC
Infection Preventionist

Every month children come to Primary Children’s to receive care for illnesses that can be prevented by immunizations (vaccinations). Most of the time these ill children do not need prolonged cared in the hospital. But some children do need to stay in the hospital, and sometimes they are even cared for in the intensive care unit.

Most infants and toddlers receive all of their vaccinations by the time they are 2 years old. And most of these children get their booster vaccinations just before going to school. But sometimes parents fall behind in getting their child’s immunizations, and often times teenagers and adults are under immunized.

Here are some things parents can do to help get their infant, child, or teenager’s immunizations up to date.

1. Review your child’s immunization record or pocket card to see if they are up-to-date and have received their immunizations.
2. Check with your child’s healthcare provider to see if they need additional immunizations.
3. Go to the CDC vaccine website and create a immunization schedule that is specific for your child.
4. Take the CDC’s online quiz about vaccinations to see if your teenager or young adult is due for any immunizations.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has some excellent resources and tools for creating an immunization schedule. They also have a great quiz that you and your children can take to test your knowledge. You can see all the available vaccination tools on the CDC’s website.

And remember vaccine-preventable diseases are in the hands of the parents. Work closely with your child’s healthcare provider to protect them from diseases.

Rouett Abouzelof RN, MSN, CIC is nationally certified in infection prevention and control. She has been a member on national APIC committees and is the immediate past president of the Utah Chapter. Rouett has been a part of Primary Children’s team for 7 years. Her expertise is built upon her work as a nurse caring for general surgery, neurosurgery, trauma, and transplant patients.