Children
The Maryland Department of Health recommendations the following vaccination schedule:
- Hepatitis B – At birth, 2 months and 6 months
- Rotavirus – At 2 months, 4 months and 6 months
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis – At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 months and age 4-6
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type B – At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 15 months
- Pneumococcal – At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12 months
- Polio – At 2 months, 4 months and 6 months
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella – At 12 months and 4-6 years
- Varicella – At 12 months and 4-6 years
- Hepatitis A – At 12 months and 18 months (certain high-risk groups may require additional immunizations through age 18)
- Flu Shots – Yearly, beginning at 6 months
- Dental and Eye Exams - Yearly, beginning prior to starting first grade
Adults
- Flu shots - Recommended yearly, particularly for those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart, lung or kidney disease.
- Tetanus shots - Recommended every 10 years.
- Pneumonia vaccines - Recommended for adults age 65 or older.
- Shingles vaccines - Recommended after age 60. Shingles vaccines are given to prevent developing the disease and decreasing long term effects in the event that shingles still occurs after vaccination.
Women
Age 9
- Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV): three shots given over six months. The American Academy of Pediatrics and both physicians recommend HPV immunizations, anytime from age nine through 26. This series of three vaccinations prevent infections that can cause cervical cancer and oral and genital warts. The immunization against HPV is only effective as a prevention measure, not as a cure.
Age 18
- Breast self-exam: monthly
- Clinic breast exam: every three years from ages 20 to 39; annually from age 40
- Pelvic exam/Pap smear: first three years, then every one to three years based on exam results
Age 20
- Cholesterol: every five years based on results
Age 21
- Blood pressure: every one to two years based on results
- Pelvic exam/Pap smear (cervical cancer): annually for the first three years, then every one to three years based on exam results
- Sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis): frequency based on risk
Age 40
- Mammogram (breast cancer): annually
- If there is a family history of breast cancer, testing should begin before the age of 40.
Age 45
- Blood sugar test (type 2 diabetes): every three years based on results
Age 50
- Bone density scan (DEXA): talk with your health care provider
- Colonoscopy: every 10 years based on results
- Double-contrast barium enema (colon and rectum X-ray): every five years if not having colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): every one to two years based on results
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy: every five years
- Flu shot: annually
- Health maintenance exams, including vision and hearing impairment: talk with your health care provider
Age 65
- Pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia): once
Men
When Sexually Active:
- Sexually transmitted diseases: frequency based on risk
Age 50
- Prostate Cancer Screening: Blood test or rectal exam to detect prostate cancer.
- African-American and other minority men, or men with increased risk factors should begin tests at age 40.
- Colon Cancer Screenings: Undergo a colonoscopy to detect colon cancer, and repeat this test every 10 years
Questions? Contact your primary physician or find a physician through MedStar today:
