By Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(Baje para la versión en español)
Making sure that infants and young children receive all of their vaccinations on time is one of the most important things parents can do to ensure their children’s long-term health as well as the health of their friends and classmates. Not only do vaccines protect children against common seasonal diseases like infl uenza, they also help prevent much rarer diseases. Without vaccinations, the U.S. could see new epidemics of diseases. More children would get sick, and more would die. Parents can fi nd out what vaccines their children need and when the doses should be given by consulting the nationally recommended Childhood Immunization Schedules, available on the CDC Web site: www.cdc.gov
Immunization Awareness Immunization is one of modern medicine’s most signifi cant public health achievements. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the U.S., and signifi – cantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from vaccine- preventable diseases every year. National Immunization Awareness Month reminds us that immunizations are important for people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Now is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and others to talk with their doctors to make sure they’re up to date on their vaccinations. Online information from the CDC is available on preteen, adolescent, and adult immunization at www.cdc.gov.
Things you need to know about immunizations
Why your child should be immunized? Children need immunizations (shots) to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases. These diseases can have serious complications and even kill children.
Diseases that childhood vaccines prevent
* Diphtheria
* Haemophilus infl uenzae type b (Hib disease – a major cause of bacterial meningitis)
* Hepatitis A
* Hepatitis B
* Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
* Measles
* Meningococcal
* Mumps
* Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
* Pneumococcal (causes bacterial meningitis and blood infections)
* Polio
* Rotavirus
* Rubella (German Measles)
* Tetanus (Lockjaw)
* Varicella (Chickenpox)
Number of doses your child needs
The following vaccinations are recommended by age two and can be given over fi ve visits to a doctor or clinic:
* 4 doses of diphtheria, tetanus & pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
* 3-4 doses of Hib vaccine (depending on the brand used)
* 4 doses of pneumococcal vaccine
* 3 doses of polio vaccine
* 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine
* 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine
* 1 dose of measles, mumps & rubella vaccine (MMR)
* 3 doses of rotavirus vaccine
* 1 dose of varicella vaccine
* 2-3 doses of infl uenza vaccine (6 months and older. Number of doses depends on child’s birthday)
Recommended doses can also b viewed in chart form on cdd.giv website. Side effects can occur with any medicine, including vaccines. Depending on the vaccine, these can include: slight fever, rash, or soreness at the site of injection. Slight discomfort is normal and should not be a cause for alarm. Your health care provider can give you additional information. It’s extremely rare, but vaccines can cause serious reactions — weigh the risks! Serious reactions to vaccines are extremely rare. The risks of serious disease from not vac
