What You As Parents Should Know About Immunizations

Immunizations are a hot topic, especially during the month of April as it’s National Infant Immunization and World Immunization Week.

Both the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control provide an abundance of resources for parents about vaccinations for their children.

How do vaccines work?

A vaccine is a dead or weakened bacteria or virus of the illness it prevents. Your body is able to build antibodies against the disease or virus so if you do come in contact with the disease or virus your body will begin fighting it off so you won’t become ill. Sometimes you need multiple vaccines. For example, influenza vaccines contain a varied strand of the virus each year. Some vaccines require a booster shot to remind your body how to fight the illness off.

When should my child get vaccinated?

There are many vaccines that your child needs, especially from the time they are born up to one year of age. It is recommended to schedule pediatric appointments at certain ages. Delaware Pediatrics recommends following our immunization schedule. At each of these visits, your pediatrician will review the immunizations your child needs. It is important to schedule your first pediatric visit within a few days of bringing your baby home from the hospital.

Are there serious side effects to vaccines?

Vaccines are very safe and common side effects such as a sore arm or mild fever are usually minor. Serious health reactions to vaccines are very rare. Any risks caused by vaccines are far outweighed by the benefits of preventing potential health problems. A good thing to keep in mind is there is no evidence of a link between immunization and other disorders.

If the disease isn’t circulating in the Buffalo area, is the vaccine necessary?

Vaccine-preventable diseases are largely uncommon in the United States, but the infectious agents that cause them continue to circulate. Outbreaks can occur from the spread of diseases in other areas. If you don’t vaccinate your child, they are vulnerable to these serious diseases.

How can I participate in the Immunization Weeks?

There are many resources regarding immunizations provided by the WHO and the CDC including:

• Download fact sheets for disease and corresponding diseases
• Share informational infographics and videos
• Use social media to spread awareness with hashtags like #vaccineswork

If you have any questions or concerns about vaccinating your child, contact Delaware Pediatrics at (716) 884-0230.

Categorized in: Vaccines

This post was written by Delaware Pediatrics