Vaccines - Dangerous Infections They Prevent

Definition

• Vaccines can protect your child from 17 severe infections.
• In the past, these infections killed thousands of children each year.
• In the present, vaccinated children rarely get them. But they are still around.
• Vaccines are also called immunizations.

Call or Return If

• You think your child is behind in vaccine shots
• You think your child needs to be seen
• You have other questions or concerns

About This Topic

Vaccines Compared to Antibiotics

• Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent serious infections.
• Vaccines wiped out smallpox in the world. Polio is almost gone
• With greater antibiotic resistance, vaccines against bacteria are even more important.
• Disease experts state that vaccines are 1000 times more powerful than antibiotics.
• Here is the reason: vaccines turn on the human immune system. They make antibodies in the body that last a lifetime. Antibiotics only help while you are taking them.

Vaccine Schedule

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) creates the policy for when shots are given. This is followed across the country. The vaccine schedule is updated each year. Any changes are based on research and review by expert panels.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests the same schedule.
• Most vaccines are given as shots in the legs of young children. Older children can have the shots in their arms.
• Baby shots start at 2 months and are done by 18 months. There also is one shot given to newborns to prevent hepatitis B.
• Booster shots are given once between 4 and 6 years.
• Teen shots are given between 11 and 12 years.
• Flu shots are needed each year.
• The up-to-date vaccine schedule can be viewed on www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedule
• Try to keep your child's vaccine shots up-to-date.

After Care Advice