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Howard G. Smith, M.D. is a former radio medical editor and talk show host in the Boston Metro area. His "Medical Minute" of health and wellness news and commentary was a regular weekday feature on WBZ-AM, WRKO-AM, and WMRE-AM. His popular two-way talk show, Dr. Howard Smith OnCall, was regularly heard Sunday morning and middays on WBZ.

Dr. Smith has adopted audio and video podcasting as conduits for HEALTH NEWS YOU SHOULD USE. Based on the latest medical, health, and wellness literature these reports provide practical information you can use to keep yourself and your family healthy. Many reports have video versions, and Dr. Smith’s YouTube Channel may be found at: http://bit.ly/2rNw6XQ

Trained at Harvard Medical School and a long-time faculty member at Boston Children’s Hospital, he practiced Pediatric Otolaryngology for 40 years in Boston, Southern California, and in central Connecticut.  He is now based in New York City.

If you have questions or suggestions about this content, please email the doctor at drhowardsmith.reports@gmail.com or leave him a message at 516-778-8864.  His website is: www.drhowardsmith.com.

Please note that the news, views, commentary, and opinions that Dr. Smith provides are for informational purposes only. Any changes that you or members of your family contemplate making to lifestyle, diet, medications, or medical therapy should always be discussed beforehand with personal physicians who have been supervising your care.

Jan 6, 2019

The FDA has just approved the newest vaccine for kids combining the 6 most common immunizations for childhood illnesses: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis or whooping cough, hemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis B, and polio.  In the past, children would receive the DTaP vaccine, but then separate vaccines for polio, hemophilus influenza, and hepatitis.  Called Vaxelis, the vaccine is a 3 dose series to be given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.  An additional booster shot for pertussis must be given to complete the immunization against that disease.

The addition of this vaccine should improve immunization rates by simplifying the schedule of shots for any given child.  It will be only somewhat simpler.  In addition to the Vaxelis series, children will still require separate shots for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), chickenpox (varicella), pneumococcal disease (Prevnar 13 and 23), human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis A (HepA), rotavirus (Rotarix), and the flu.

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/qVQd9e7Un_g

https://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/UCM629110.pdf

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