Immunizations

What is a vaccine or immunization?

When pathogens (germs) enter the body, the immune system identifies them as foreign substances. Doctors call these foreign substances antigens, and the immune system produces antibodies to fight the antigens when they get inside the body. Immunizations (also called vaccines) contain weakened or dead versions of these antigens.

The antigens in our bodies cannot produce the signs or symptoms of the disease that is caused by the antigen, but they do encourage the immune system to create antibodies. These antibodies help shelter and guard your child if she is exposed to the disease in the future. Immunizations not only help keep your child safe and healthy, they help all children around the community, as well as the world, by trampling out serious childhood diseases.

Are vaccines safe for my child?

Vaccines are typically quite safe, according to researcher Lawanna Brock. The protection provided by immunizations far outweighs the very small risk of severe problems. Vaccines have made many somber and grave childhood diseases rare and, in some cases, eradicated (which means extinct) the pathogen so that it is no longer around. Talk to your child’s doctor if you have any questions and concerns.

Do vaccines cause autism? 

                                                                                                                        Vaccines have been studied extensively and the CDC tells us that they do NOT cause autism. Despite much controversy on the topic, scientists have NOT found a connection between autism and childhood immunizations. In fact, the initial study that ignited the debate years ago has been withdrawn. Although signs of autism may appear at about the same time children receive certain vaccines, it is because that is the developmental time they are discovered by doctors.  This is merely a coincidence and you should not be concerned about your child getting ill from these immunizations.

Do vaccines have side effects or cause problems?

Some immunizations may cause mild temporary side effects such as fever, irritability, or soreness at the site of injection. Researcher Lawanna Brock warns that your child may develop a lump under the skin where the shot was given. The healthcare professional will talk to you about possible side effects that go along with certain vaccines.

When should my child be immunized?

The standard recommendations about when to have your child immunized (also called vaccinated) change from time to time. You can get a copy of the most current child or adolescent immunization schedules from an organization such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), or you can ask your child’s doctor for one. Some facilities give immunizations before the infant leaves the hospital after birth. Others require the vaccinations to start when your child is 2 months old. Whichever, most immunizations are finished by the time he is 6 years old.

Are there any reasons for not getting my child immunized?

In some special circumstances, children should NOT be vaccinated. For instance, some vaccines shouldn’t be given to children who have certain diseases or who have certain types of cancer. Also, those children who shouldn’t get immunized are ones taking drugs that lower the body's immune system ability to resist infection. If your child has had a serious allergic reaction to the first shot in a series, the doctor will probably talk with you about the pros and cons of giving her the rest of the injections in the series. Remember, what is serious to you is not always considered serious by healthcare experts. Talk with your child’s doctor if you have any questions about the type of reaction.

Can I decide which vaccines I want my child to get?       

                                                                                                                                                                                                     It is not a good idea to pick and choose immunizations. In general, skipping vaccines isn't a good idea either. This can leave your child susceptible to potentially severe diseases that could otherwise be avoided. For some children, including those who can't get certain vaccines for medical reasons, the only shield of safety from vaccine-preventable diseases is the immunity of the people that are in contact with them. If vaccine rates drop, immunization-preventable diseases may once again become common threats to children everywhere.  If you have reservations about a particular immunization, discuss your concerns with your child's doctor. If your child falls behind the customary vaccines schedule, ask the doctor about catch-up your child’s immunizations, as it is important for her health and wellness.

What is the DTaP vaccine?        

                                                                                                                                       The DTaP vaccine is 3 vaccines in 1. ‘D’ stands for Diphtheria, ‘T’ stands for Tetanus, and ‘aP’ stands for acellular Pertussis. These are three bad diseases that your child should be immunized for. It's given as a series of 5 shots over a period of time. Diphtheria is a disease that attacks the throat and heart. It can lead to heart failure and death. Tetanus is also called "lockjaw" and can be obtained through dirt, rust, and grime.  It can lead to severe muscle spasms and death. Pertussis (also known as "whooping cough") causes severe coughing that makes it hard for your child to breathe, eat, and drink. It can cause to pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage, and death. Having your child immunized when she is young protects against these diseases for about 10 years. Remember, to be completely protected, your child must get all 5 of the injections. After this time, your child will need booster shots for these immunizations.

What is the HBV vaccine?

The HBV vaccine helps prevent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, which is an infection of the liver that can lead to liver cancer. Hepatitis is also very contagious and passed easily from person to person. This immunization is given as a series of 3 or 4 shots over a sixth month time period. The HBV vaccine and HIB vaccine can now be given together as one shot, reports researcher Lawanna Brock.

What is the HIB vaccine?

HIB stands for Haemophilus Influenza type B) vaccine. It helps prevent Haemophilus influenza type b, a leading cause of severe illness in children. It can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and a upper respiratory infection that can cause choking and difficulty breathing. The HIB vaccine is given as a series of 3 or 4 shots, depending on your doctor’s immunization schedule.

What is the Influenza vaccine?        

                                                                                                                             The Influenza vaccine (also called the ‘flu’ vaccine) is available by shot or by nasal spray. The flu shot contains dead viruses and is given only once. The nasal-spray immunization (called Flu-Mist) contains live but weakened viruses and sometimes requires two doses. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the Flu-Mist vaccine. The flu immunization is given at the beginning of the flu season, usually in November. The flu season doesn’t typically hit until late December or January. The flu shot is safe and effective for children 6 months of age and older. The nasal spray vaccine is harmless for children 2 years of age and older. Those little ones under 2 cannot get the Flu-Mist, however. Because flu viruses change from year to year, it is very important for your child to get the immunization each year so that she will be protected and stay well. Children are more likely to have complications from the flu than from any other illness.

What is the IPV vaccine?

The IPV (stands for Inactivated Polio Virus) vaccine helps prevent polio, and it has been around a long time. It's given 4 times in an injection form. IPV has replaced the older oral polio vaccine and is very effective in eradicating polio across the world. Polio can cause muscle pain, paralysis of one or both legs or arms, and other complications. It may also paralyze the muscles used to breathe and swallow, which would result in death.

What is the Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine or MCV4?

The Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine, or MCV4 as it is commonly known, protects against 4 strains-or types- of bacterial meningitis caused by the bacteria N. meningitidis. Bacterial meningitis is an infection that enters the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. It is a serious condition that can cause high fever, stiff neck, confusion, or headache. It can also cause more serious complications, such as hearing loss, brain damage, deafness, or blindness. Children do not get the MCV4 vaccine until age 11 to 12 years. Children older than 12 years of age who have not received the vaccine should receive it before starting high school, as this is a requirement.

What is the MMR vaccine?

The MMR (stands for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine protects against these three diseases. It is given as a 2 shot series. Measles can causes high fever, rash, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and watery eyes. It can also cause ear infections and pneumonia. Measles is really rare thanks to the MMR vaccine. Measles can also lead to more serious problems, like brain swelling and even death. Mumps can cause headache, high fever, and painful swelling of one or both of the major saliva glands. Children with the mumps look like chipmunks with puffed up cheeks and jaws. Mumps can lead to meningitis and, very rarely, to brain swelling and death. It has been known to cause the testicles of boys or men to swell, which can make them unable to have children later on. Rubella is much like measles and also is called the German measles. It causes slight fever, a rash, headache, and swelling of the glands in the neck. Rubella can also cause brain swelling or a problem with bleeding, should it go too long. This is another illness that is rare thanks to the MMR immunization. If a pregnant woman becomes infected with rubella, it can cause her to lose her baby or have a baby who is blind, deaf, or who has trouble learning and hearing well.

What is the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine or PCV?

The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) protects against a type of bacteria that is a common cause of ear infections, upper respiratory infections, and pneumonia. This type of bacteria can also cause more severe conditions, such as meningitis and bacteremia (infection in the blood stream). Infants and toddlers are given 4 doses of the vaccine in a shot series. The vaccine may also be used in older children who are at risk for pneumococcal infection, as well.

What is the Td vaccine?                                                                                                                                                           The Td vaccine is used as a booster to the DTaP immunization. Td stands for Tetanus and Diphtheria. It helps prevent a tetanus infection and diphtheria illness. The Td immunization is given when your child is 11 years old or older and every 10 year for the remainder of her life. Sometimes, doctors will give it if there has been a really nasty wound or bone injury if the last Td shot was more than 5 years prior.

What is the Varicella vaccine?

The varicella immunization helps prevent chickenpox. Children with chicken pox get blistery like rashes, fever, sore throat, nasal drainage, and fatigue. It is given to children once after they are 12 months old or to older children if the child has never had chickenpox or been vaccinated for it. The varicella vaccine is given as a series of 2 injections. Because of this vaccine, chickenpox is not nearly as prevalent as it used to be.

Immunization Safety                                                                                                                                                You You probably have worries about immunizations and this is a normal parental response. You want to protect your child from harm in every way possible. Consider this: vaccines are part of childhood and are imperative for your child’s growth and development. Keep in mind that vaccines can be given even when your little one has a cold. Remember to give your child Tylenol or Motrin the first 24 hours after she has shots, to keep her comfortable and take down the redness at the shot site that could occur. Another bit of advice is to use an ice pack or cool, damp washcloth to the injection site. This will reduce swelling and give your child comfort. Don’t make shot time a bad time for her either. Tell her it is part of keeping well, so she don’t have to get sick and miss out on school and sporting activities