Has someone got you thinking that you need to skip or delay some vaccines for your child with Down syndrome?
Are you now on the fence and looking for a specific vaccine schedule for children with Down syndrome?
Vaccine Schedule for Children with Down Syndrome
Vaccine schedules for children with Down syndrome are quite easy to find.
They are the same as the vaccine schedules for every other children!
Unless they have another medical contraindication, there is no reason to skip or delay any of your child’s vaccines just because they have Down syndrome.
“Administer pneumococcal vaccine, as well as other vaccines recommended for all children unless there are specific contraindications.”
American Academy of Pediatrics Health Supervision for Children With Down Syndrome
In fact, because people with Down syndrome can be more susceptible to some infections, it is extra important that they be vaccinated on time, including that they get a yearly flu shot.
Do they need any extra vaccines?
Many experts recommend that children with Down syndrome get a dose of the Pneumovax vaccine (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or PPSV23) when they are at least two years old and at least eight weeks after completing their Prevnar 13 series. While the ACIP guidelines for Pneumovax doesn’t specifically mention Down syndrome, they do say that the vaccine is important for some children with chronic medical conditions and immune system problems.
“Well child care: immunizations; If chronic cardiac or pulmonary disease, give 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine age > 2 years.”
National Down Syndrome Society Guide for New and Expectant Parents
Talk to your pediatrician to see if your child with Down syndrome needs Pneumovax, especially if they get sick a lot or have chronic heart or lung problems. Some kids might even need a second dose of Pneumovax five years after the first dose.
What to Know About Vaccines and Down Syndrome
Your child with Down syndrome should be fully vaccinated on time without any delays, as there are no contraindications and he or she could be at increased risk for some infections.
More About Vaccines and Down Syndrome
- As The Facts Win Out, Vaccinations May, Too
- AAP – Health Supervision for Children With Down Syndrome
- AAP – Health Care Information for Families of Children with Down Syndrome
- National Down Syndrome Society Guide for New and Expectant Parents
- AAFP – Primary Care of Infants and Young Children with Down Syndrome
- Vaccination schedule for people with Down’s syndrome, 2012
- Vaccines and vaccination calendar for people with Down’s syndrome
- Immunisation Protecting People with Down’s Syndrome Against Infection (UK)
- What is special about people with Down syndrome and immunisation (New Zealand)
- Study – Immune evaluation and vaccine responses in Down syndrome: evidence of immunodeficiency?
- CDC – Pneumococcal Vaccination: Summary of Who and When to Vaccinate
- ACIP – Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations
- Ask the Experts about Vaccine Precautions and Contraindications