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News and Features Related to Children's Vaccines

U.S. Measles Cases, Outbreaks Quadruple in 2011

April 19, 2012 -- Measles cases are spiking sharply in the U.S., the CDC reported today. The 222 cases and 17 outbreaks seen in 2011 are nearly four times the median of 60 cases and four outbreaks per year seen over the last decade. A third of patients were hospitalized. The surge in cases is largel
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No Rise in Seizure Risk With MMRV Booster Shot

April 2, 2012 -- There is little to no risk that the four-in-one measles-mumps-rubella-chickenpox vaccine (MMRV) causes fever-related seizures in children 4 to 6 years old, a new CDC-funded study confirms. In the U.S. parents can decide to give their child the four-in-one combination MMRV vaccine (m
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Expert Q&A: Childhood Vaccine Safety

For parents, childhood vaccines are a source of reassurance -- protecting your child against disease naturally helps you sleep better at night -- but also anxiety about side effects and reactions. With misinformation about vaccines and health problems, it can be difficult for a parent to sort it all
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Combo Vaccine May Raise Babies’ Risk for Fever-Caused Seizures

Feb. 21, 2012 -- Babies and toddlers can sometimes spike fevers that lead to seizures, which can be terrifying for parents. Those seizures, called febrile seizures, have sometimes been linked to childhood vaccines. Now a large new study from Denmark shows that babies have an increased risk of gettin
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Rotavirus Vaccine Not Linked to Risk of Intestinal Disorder

Feb. 7, 2012 -- Despite studies showing that the rotavirus vaccine can reduce the number of children hospitalized for severe diarrhea, some U.S. doctors are slow to embrace it for fear that this vaccine may increase an infant’s risk of a life-threatening bowel blockage (intussusception). It’s a case
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Environmental Chemicals May Thwart Kids' Vaccines

Jan. 24, 2012 -- Routine vaccines may not work as well in children with elevated blood levels of chemicals called PFCs (perfluorinated compounds), according to a new study. PFCs are widely found in consumer goods such as food packaging, stain-resistant carpeting, and other products. In the new study
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Infants May Sleep Better When Vaccinated in Afternoon

Nov. 29, 2011 -- Scheduling infant immunizations in the afternoon may lead to an increase in the infant's sleep over the next 24 hours. A new study shows that infants who received their vaccinations after 1:30 p.m. were more likely to sleep longer and have a small increase in body temperature in the
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Chickenpox Vaccination of Children Helps Protect Infants, Too

Nov. 28, 2011 -- Chickenpox infection can be life-threatening for infants who are too young to receive the chickenpox vaccine. The good news is that the routine vaccination of children aged 1 and older has shown spillover benefits for infants. The U.S. began recommending a single dose of the chicken
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Flu Vaccines and Kids: CDC Tips

Every fall, millions of U.S. children get flu vaccinations at their pediatricians' offices. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for all Americans who are at least 6 months old. You may have questions about the vaccination. Why can't last year's flu shot protect your child this year? Do you need
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Males Aged 11-21 Should Get Gardasil HPV Vaccine

Oct. 25, 2011 -- Boys and men aged 11 to 21 should routinely be offered the Gardasil vaccine for HPV, the human papillomavirus, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) today voted. Although HPV vaccination is approved for males as well as females, it has been routinely recommended on
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