To make sure that your child is having the best life possible, one of the most important issues to navigate is your child’s vaccinations. Understanding and managing your child’s inoculations is an integral part of caring for a child: pediatric vaccinations are an essential tool for safeguarding your child from potentially devastating diseases and maintaining the health of the public in general. In this guide, we’ve gathered essential information about pediatric immunizations, covering what they are, why they are important, how to adhere to the vaccination schedule, and tips for addressing common concerns. Whether you’re a new parent or seeking to refresh your knowledge, this resource will help you navigate the immunization process with confidence.
What Are Pediatric Vaccinations?
Vaccinating children against infectious diseases is a practice that most of us feel comfortable with – we know it works. It seems to make sense: by giving children a small dose of an appropriate medication, called a vaccine, they won’t become sick with a potentially fatal disease if they are ever infected. Pediatric vaccinations come in the form of a shot or an oral liquid, and the vaccine itself works by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce molecules (known as ‘antibodies’) that are capable of finding and getting rid of a specific pathogen – a virus or a bacteria – without making the person feeling ill. To do that, the vaccine contains a special, weak element of the pathogen such as a small protein or a less virulent version of the virus, without triggering the actual infection.
Why Are Vaccinations Important?
Vaccinations are crucial for several reasons:
- Disease Prevention: Vaccines help to prevent serious illnesses, diseases severe complications, or even death. Before the creation of vaccines, many diseases such as measles, polio, and whooping cough were very common and caused a lot of misery. Today, thanks to vaccines, most of these diseases are rare.
- Herd Immunity: The more people vaccinated, the more rules break the chain of infection for those who can’t be immunized – including tiny babies, frail elders, or those with compromised immune systems. Achieving a critical level of vaccination among a population – herd immunity – prevents outbreaks and shields the more vulnerable in our community.
- Economic Gains: It is almost always much cheaper to prevent a disease than to treat the illness and also pay for associated medical expenses. Many countries can also see economic gains if fewer citizens become sick or physically impaired because of important vaccines, by saving on lost wages.
- Global Health: The mass vaccination programs have played a pivotal role in revamping global health standards. For example, before vaccination against it, smallpox was a common disease. Thanks to the smallpox vaccine, the disease was even completely eradicated from the Earth. Others like polio have seen a dramatic decline, helped by the polio vaccination. Global Health: To safeguard future generations from preventable diseases, vaccination has to continue to reap the benefits of the work that has been done. Without sustained efforts, the diseases are likely to regain the ground and conditions of 200 years ago.
Understanding the Vaccine Schedule
The schedule was mapped out to make sure that the vaccines would be protected at the right times. Here is the immunization schedule for children in the US:
At Birth:
Hepatitis B (HBV)
2 Months:
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Polio (IPV)
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)
Rotavirus (RV)
4 Months:
DTaP
Hib
IPV
PCV13
RV
6 Months:
DTaP
Hib
IPV
PCV13
RV
Influenza (Flu) (annually)
12-15 Months:
Hib
PCV13
Mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Hepatitis A (HAV)
15-18 Months:
DTaP
4-6 Years:
DTaP
IPV
MMR
Varicella (Chickenpox)
11-12 Years:
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
16 Years:
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) booster
These recommendations are adjusted for certain situations, or guideline updates have happened after this article was published. Please check with your child’s provider to confirm the schedule appropriate for your child.
Common Vaccination Concerns
As a parent, it’s easy to have questions or even concerns, when it comes to vaccinations. Here are some of the objections that I often hear, along with replies.
1. Are Vaccines Safe?
Yes, vaccines are overwhelmingly safe. They are tested in large clinical trials before they’re approved and are closely monitored after approval to make sure they remain safe. Their side effects are infrequent and almost always mild, such as a sore arm or a low fever. Serious side effects are extremely rare. For the vast majority of children, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
2. Do Vaccines Cause Autism?
Various researchers of large epidemiological studies have also demonstrated that there is no causal relationship between vaccines and autism stemming from the discredited 1998 study that was subsequently retracted. Vaccines undergo rigorous scientific testing and monitoring.
3. What If My Child Misses a Dose?
If a child misses a dose, you should get back on track as soon as possible. Check with your healthcare provider to see what you should do next. Catch-up schedules can help you make sure that your child does not miss out on any recommended vaccines.
4. Are Vaccines Effective?
You bet they do: vaccines are extremely good at what they do: prevent disease. Although no vaccine affords 100 percent protection, they consistently reduce the risk of falling ill by 70, 80, or even 90 or 97 percent. The measles vaccine, for instance, is about 97 percent efficacious.
5. Can Vaccines Be Given Simultaneously?
Yes, most vaccines can be given together without reducing the efficacy of any vaccine or enhancing the side effects of any individual vaccine. Combining vaccines is a standard practice that helps vaccinators keep children on schedule with all their recommended vaccines.
Tips for Navigating the Vaccination Process
1. Keep a Vaccination Record:
Keep a copy of your child’s vaccination schedule. You’ll likely need this copy for school registration and healthcare appointments and to keep a record of vaccinations received. Your child’s healthcare provider will issue your child a vaccination card or record.
2. Stay Informed:
Check back regarding vaccine recommendations and scheduling changes; your best sources are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
3. Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider:
Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about any concerns or questions that you have. This can be a great resource to get specific guidance and recommendations on your child’s health and vaccine needs.
4. Educate Yourself:
By learning the science behind vaccines, a simple fear may be replaced by a more rational and problem-solving attitude. Having a source to turn to — whether that’s the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), or other trusted health resources — for correct information about vaccine safety and efficacy can be reassuring.
5. Address Fear or Anxiety:
Don’t be surprised or discouraged if your child is afraid of vaccination. Explain what’s going to happen calmly and reassuringly so your child knows what to expect. Some families find that it helps to have a blanket, stuffed animal, or other item on the child’s lap during the vaccination to help take the child’s mind off the shot and distract them during the brief pain.
6. Follow Up on Missing Vaccines:
If your child misses a vaccination due to illness or travel, be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider to arrange a time to catch up on missed doses. Keeping up with the vaccination schedule is important for your child’s health and well-being. Catching up on the vaccination schedule will maintain your child’s immunization with the required doses.
Pediatric vaccinations can seem like a scavenger hunt with adolescence as the finish line – but if you understand what they are for, and how to manage them along the way, the process is much smoother. Vaccinations play a vital role in the field of public health. They protect your child and the broader community. The more informed you are, the more you can talk through your concerns with your primary care provider, and the better the result.
After all, making sure your child is up-to-date on his shots is one of the best things you can do to make sure he’s healthy and fit. By getting your child vaccinated, you’re doing your part for the greater public good and helping to keep him healthy.
