26 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP • SEPTEMBER 2 - SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 Pediatric expert advises: Back-to-school immunizations are necessary •Elder Law• •Trusts & Estates• •Probate• •Medicaid Eligibility & Applications• •Preparation of Wills• •Special Needs Planning• •Guardianships• •Estate Mediation• 1-877- ELDER LAW 1-877-ESTATES Queens Queens • Long Island Island • Manhattan • Brooklyn ATTORNEY ADVERTISING Ronald Fatoullah has been selected as one of the New York area’s Best Lawyers® in 2015. Immunizations help protect children from serious diseases that can be dangerous, and even deadly. All school-age children need immunizations – from nursery school through college. Pediatric experts at the Maimonides Children’s Hospital urge parents to keep kids up-to-date with recommended vaccines. “It’s important to vaccinate your child and follow an immunization schedule because childhood illnesses once thought to be eradicated have now resurfaced,” says Dr. Christina Gagliardo, pediatric infectious disease physician at Maimonides. “Vaccinating children helps prevent the spread of disease and ensures that they are not affected by these growing outbreaks.” As your family’s back-to-school preparations begin, Gagliardo recommends that you make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician for an annual check-up. Bring your child’s immunization records so that you and your pediatrician can compare notes and discuss any missing vaccinations. While it is best to have all immunizations on the recommended schedule, there are certain times when children fall behind due to illness or other circumstances. According to Gagliardo, this is not a cause for panic – your pediatrician can guide you through a “catching-up” vaccination schedule for your child. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive the following vaccines: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/whooping cough); Hib (fl u type b); Varicella (chickenpox); IPV (polio); RV (rotavirus); HepA and HepB (hepatitis); Flu (annual); PCV (pneumonia); HPV (human papillomavirus); and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). “Most kids don’t look forward to getting shots,” says DGagliardo, “There are some ways, however, to help your child become more comfortable with vaccinations.” Gagliardo shares these tips for easing anxiety associated with vaccinations: • Offer a prize or reward. Award your child a small prize such as stickers, special treats and fun activities if he or she cooperates in getting the vaccinations. This can help your child to feel positive and provide a distraction from any pain afterwards. • Don’t discuss the vaccination appointment days in advance. Wait until the day of the appointment to tell your child about it. When told days in advance, kids often use that time to develop a fear of the process, creating unnecessary worries. • Create a distraction. Redirecting your child’s attention when the needle makes contact can decrease his or her stress. When your child is relaxed, muscles loosen and the shot will be less painful. Be sure to praise your child afterwards to lessen his or her fear in the future. • Be honest. On the day of the appointment, tell your child that you are taking him or her to get vaccinated. Explaining why vaccinations are necessary is a step to helping your child understand why they are receiving immunizations. Express that immunization is necessary to keep people healthy. Do not say vaccine shots are painless – the amount of pain varies from child to child. Instead, to help your child remain calm, explain how a vaccine shot feels similar to a tiny pinch on the arm. For more information on recommended vaccines, visit the CDC website, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, at cdc.gov/features/ catchupimmunizations/.
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