Vaccines For Parents
Parents often ask if certain vaccines are recommended for themselves. The “tetanus shot” (known as Tdap) is offered by my practice to parents/grandparents who have not had this vaccine in the past 10 years. This provides protection against tetanus but also against pertussis (whooping cough) which may be a very serious respiratory illness in an infant or young child. By protecting yourself you dramatically decrease the risk of pertussis spread to your home.
Also, Hepatitis A vaccine (a virus acquired from improper hygiene or contaminated food sources) is available for parents/grandparents who have not had this vaccine previously. If you are planning a vacation to a developing area of the world it is highly recommended that all family members receive this vaccine who are 1yo or older. The first vaccine should be ideally administered at least 3-4weeks prior to travel; a second dose is recommended 6mo after the first dose.