Answer:

The idea underlying immunizations is as simple as it is brilliant.

1. Introduce a small part ("antigen") or a weakened live version of an infectious germ (like a bacterium or virus) into the body by injecting, swallowing, or inhaling it.
2. This induces the body to make antibodies and other immunological defenses to fight off that perceived threat.
3. Then, when exposed to the real infectious agent later on, the body has the pre-existing immunity to quickly recognize the germ and muster up the defenses to prevent it from invading and infecting the body.

Answer:

There are basically two ways to induce immunity against an infectious disease:

1. Give a live but weakened version of the germ (as with vaccines to measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox).
2. Introduce an inactive piece ("antigen") of the germ (as with vaccines to hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, haemophilus influenza, pneumococcus, meningococcus, human papilloma virus, influenza), which then induces antibodies against the entire organism.

The live, weakened vaccines (called "attenuated") can actually cause a low-grade infection in the body. That's why, for example, a week or two following the chickenpox vaccine, your child may develop a slight rash and fever. It's a mild case of chickenpox - enough to induce immunity, but far less serious than the real infection.

Since they contain no live germs, the inactive vaccines do not cause an infection at all. However, as with any vaccine, there can be immediate, short-term side effects.

Answer:

Any vaccine has the potential to cause side effects, and these vary from vaccine to vaccine. For specifics on each vaccine, see the CDC's web site: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm

Fortunately, such side effects are mild and short-lived. Your pediatric provider will give you a list of side effects to watch for after each immunization.

In general, most immunizations can cause:

1. Pain and swelling at the injection site (occurs 80% of the time)
2. Itching at the injection site (occurs 4% of the time)
3. Mild fever (occurs 10% of the time)
4. Moderate (102 F) fever (occurs 1.5% of the time)
5. Generalized aches and pains

More severe side effects are so rare it is hard to accurately assess how often they occur.

Answer:

The immunization schedule changes frequently as more vaccines are developed and as we learn which ones need a booster.

Your pediatric provider will inform you of the latest recommendations, or you can go to the CDC web site: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm

Answer:

The short answer is: NO.

This question has vexed parents since it was first raised over a decade ago. After all, we suspect there is some trigger of autism in genetically susceptible kids, but no one knows what that trigger might be.

Additionally, some parents noticed the autistic symptoms following immunizations. In such cases, it's hard not to assume the vaccines (or some additive in the vaccines) were responsible for the symptoms.

This was a reasonable hypothesis, but it turns out that subsequent research has pretty much debunked it. For example,

• Large studies in Scandinavia (where they keep exhaustive records) demonstrated no association at all with administration of vaccines and the onset of autism.
• Despite the elimination of one worrisome additive (thimerosal) from almost all vaccines, the incidence of autism continues to climb.

Alas, we don't know what might trigger autism, but it doesn't look like immunizations are the culprit. Rather, it's very likely a coincidence: Autism symptoms generally emerge some time in the second year, and since there are so many immunizations given at that time, the symptoms may show up in close proximity to an immunization.

The research in this area continues, so keep your eyes open. But all scientific data points against this fear being a reality.

Bottom line : Don't let the fear of autism prevent you from fully immunizing your child!

Answer:

There is no scientific evidence to support this fear, and there is good reason to think this is another unfounded fear. Here's why.

Children are exposed to many foreign antigens every day. For example, billions of bacteria live in the mouth and nose and gut. It is estimated that an upper respiratory viral infection exposes a child to 4-10 antigens, and a case of strep throat exposes a child to 25-50 antigens.

New antigens are constantly entering the body from the intestinal tract. In fact, the immune system is constantly being bombarded with many new antigens, so a few extra immunizations are unlikely to overwhelm its capacity to respond to each.

The next time you read some "expert" recommending that you spread out the immunization schedule, look to see if there is any scientific data to back up the claims.

Answer:

The only risk -- and it's a very small one -- of missing an immunization is that your child will have insufficient immunity to fight off the infection at that time.

Since these diseases are now rare thanks in large part to immunizations, that's unlikely to happen. So you can simply pick up where you left off on the schedule at that time.

Should your child be very behind in receiving immunizations, the CDC has a helpful way to figure out the "catch-up" schedule: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/scheduler/catchup.htm

Answer:

There are no additional side effects from receiving an extra vaccination.

Answer:

Most children handle the mild discomfort from the shots just fine and TLC will suffice.

Others are known to experience more significant pain and/or fever. In that case, giving a pain reliever (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help to mitigate the symptoms. Heat and gentle massage at the site can also help in some cases.

During the immunization, ask your pediatric provider to use a medication to minimize the pain. This can include a cold spray or a topical anesthetic applied well before the shot is given.

In older children, sometimes distraction can be quite helpful, such as blowing on a pinwheel during shot administration, reading a book together, practicing deep breathing exercises, or letting your child squeeze something as hard as he or she can.

Give TLC and support to your child. Never belittle him or her for crying or acting "like a baby." Try to set reasonable limits ("You have to try to hold still"), but not unreasonable ones ("No crying or fuss allowed").

Also, don't lie. It is going to hurt. But not too much and not for too long.

Discuss what would be helpful coping techniques during the ordeal. Be sure to emphasize why the immunizations are helpful and important. Finally, don't belittle your child's fears. No one likes the shots, but don't dwell on it. Focus instead on what you fun things you will do when it is all over.

Answer:

For some it does. That is why "booster immunizations" are now being given at various times.

There is a lot of active research on the waning of immunity over time, so it is likely there will be even more booster shots added to the schedule in the future.

Answer:

There is no question: the risks of not vaccinating a child vastly outweigh any potentially serious long-term side effects. Let's do the math for a few:

• If your child were to contract measles, the odds of dying would be 1 in 500, getting pneumonia 6 in 100, and getting encephalitis 1 in 1,000
• If your child were to contract diphtheria, the odds of dying are 1 in 20.
• If your child were to contract tetanus, the odds of dying are 1 in 5.
• If your child were to contract whooping cough ("pertussis"), the odds of dying are 1 in 1,550, getting pneumonia 1 in 8, getting encephalitis 1 in 20.

Yes, many of these diseases are now rare (thanks to immunizations) but they can still make a comeback, as happened with measles in England when, because of the autism scare, many parents chose not to immunize their children.

The risk/benefit ratio of immunizations is undeniable. Immunize your kids with pride. One of the greatest gifts you can provide your children is a full set of vaccinations.

Answer:

Have a specific medical book for each child. Be sure to note each immunization when it is given, along with any side effects that may have occurred.

Remember that the schools will require such information, and - I speak from sad experience here - sometimes pediatric offices misplace records or forget to document an immunization. In that case, your records may be all that can prove complete immunizations.

Answer:

Since there is no reason to spread out immunizations, it is most efficient to stick to the schedule as recommended.

Having said that, if for some reason you are not persuaded that the schedule makes sense, you can discuss with your pediatric provider how best to postpone certain vaccinations.

As long as your child is eventually completely immunized, the odds are very low that the prolonged immunization schedule will actually do any harm (or, for that matter, any good).

Answer:

No immunization is 100% effective. But in case you need persuasion, have a look at these dramatic facts from the CDC. There can be no doubt: Aside from a clean water supply, vaccines are one of the greatest boons ever invented.

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine has reduced Hib cases by 98.62%.
• In reducing the incidence of Haemophilus influenzae, the vaccine also dramatically reduced an associated deadly meningitis.
• Measles vaccine has reduced measles cases by 99.95%.
• Pertussis vaccine has reduced pertussis cases by 97.56%.
• Mumps vaccine has reduced mumps cases by 99.57%.

Answer:

Your preteen should receive at least three immunizations:

1. Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)
2. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4)
3. Human papilloma virus ( HPV) vaccine for girls

This is probably different from when you were a child. There are two reasons for these changes.

First, we have learned that immunity from some immunizations (like the DTP) may disappear over time, so a booster vaccine can re-energize the immune system against that germ.

Second, some vaccines (like the HPV and meningococcal vaccines) are meant to prevent infections that only start in adolescence, so it makes sense to administer them during the preteen years.