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Immunizations

What Do Immunizations Protect Children From?
Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule (from the CDC)
Fears
Dangers
Tips for Keeping Up-To-Date
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Added to Schedule
Suggestions for How to Ease the Pain
Links to Helpful Organizations

Protection: Immunizations help protect children from these diseases: chicken pox, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), Hib disease and hepatitis B. These diseases are especially dangerous for babies and toddlers. Without proper immunizations, your child is at greater risk for a disease that causes death, blindness, brain damage, paralysis or heart problems. For adults, the CDC recommends these immunizations.

Fears: The National Network for Immunization Information sponsored a phone survey of 1,600 expectant parents and parents of children 6 years of age and younger, and the results indicate that about one-quarter of American parents had concerns over the safety of infant and child vaccinations. But experts say none of the main fears (such as a link between vaccines and autism, or that too many vaccines will make their children "weaker," or that children receive more vaccinations than are "good for them") is based on any scientific fact. See Medem and do a search for "Common Myths About Immunizations."

A study published in the January 2002 edition of Pediatrics reiterates that the current practice of giving multiple vaccines is not harmful to babies or children, nor does it weaken their immune system. Instead, the report says, babies' bodies are able to handle multiple vaccines, and the protection provided by immunizations actually prevents the "weakening" of the babies' immune systems, while also protecting against serious illnesses.

Dangers: The Idaho Immunization Program (and Idaho Immunize By Two Coalition) says this about vaccination danger: "Serious reactions to vaccines are extremely rare, but can occur. The risks of serious disease from not vaccinating are far greater than the risks of serious reaction to the vaccination." Experts also worry that a widespread failure to immunize will not only cause many children to get seriously ill, but also will eventually cause a re-emergence of dangerous childhood diseases (as has perhaps happened in the Dominican Republic, with polio).

Tips for Keeping Up-to-Date: If you miss a shot, check with your doctor about the possibility of making it up. Always take your child's shot records with you to a doctor's appointment. Keep them in a safe place such as a safe or a safe deposit box. Do not depend on your doctor to keep track of the immunizations for you (generally, doctors will and do keep good care of the records, but mistakes do happen and things do get lost or forgotten). Follow the directions you're given, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you're uncertain about the advice you're getting. If your child is ill and you're wondering if a vaccine will be safe to take, it probably is, but check with your doctor. If you can't afford vaccines for your children, contact the Vaccines for Children Program for assistance.

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Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine added: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been added to the routine childhood immunization schedule. This vaccine is designed to prevent meningitis caused by streptococcus pneumoniae. For more on this vaccine, or for a copy of the current immunization schedule, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How to Ease the Pain: If you and your child are stressed over needles and shots, here are a few ideas for how to ease the pain:

	Prepare your child for the visit. Role play the visit beforehand, perhaps with a doll or stuffed toy, and share some laughs over the concept. Find a book for children that discusses immunizations, and let your child discuss his/her fears. Don't criticize or laugh at your child for being afraid. Listen, empathize, and try to emphasize the positive.
	Be straight about the reason for the office visit. If you lie, your child will know you can't be trusted.
	Explain why the shot is important to your child's health. Talk about the body and how the shots protect it from diseases like polio.
	Talk about other important parts of the doctor's visit, like measuring the child's height and checking ears and teeth. The child should know that immunizations are only one small part of the visit.
	Allow your child to bring a comfort toy. Perhaps the toy can "watch" the process, and "learn how it's done."
	At the doctor's office, keep the event casual. Don't downplay your child's fears, but don't make a big deal of them either. Comfort when comfort is necessary, but keep things lighthearted, funny and focused on other things.
	When it's time for the shot, have the child help you and the doctor -- by holding something, opening something, inspecting something. Get the child involved in some way so that he/she feels more powerful and capable. Ask the doctor if the child can sit in your lap and hold your hand.
	When the shot is over, provide comfort and reassurance. Cuddle for a while, and talk about how much stronger his/her body is already.

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For more information on immunizations:

	Medem - the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule, United States, 2003
	Medem - Catch-Up Immunization Schedule (for children and adolescents who start late or who are > 1 month behind
	Vaccines for Children Program -- "buys vaccines for children in certain groups who can't afford to buy vaccines"
	The Vaccine Fund - provides immunizations to children in the world's poorest countries
	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - information on the smallpox vaccine
	Medem - do a search for "Common Myths About Immunizations"
	Hot Line for the Hearing Impaired: 1-800-243-7889
	U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (has information in Spanish) -- 1-800-232-2522
	U.S. Food and Drug Administration (CBER) - Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System - information on reactions to vaccines.
	U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - discusses vaccines, who should vaccinate, who shouldn't, safety issues and guidelines for infants, children and adults
	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - information on the flu vaccine
	National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - information on influenza (the flu)
	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - information in Spanish
	The Immunization Action Coalition - a nonprofit organization whose mission is to boost immunization rates and prevent disease.
	Immunization Action Coalition - vaccine Information Statements (VIS) in many different languages
	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - 10 Things You Should Know About Immunizations. Includes information on how to get immunizations for your children if you don't have health care, and a hot line number to call for more information (1-800-232-2522, English; and 1-800-232-0233, Spanish).
	Your state department of Health & Welfare - can help you get your children immunized if you don't have health care.
	A letter from the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics titled: "Why Should I Immunize my Child?"

	MayoClinic.com - a pediatrician for the Mayo Clinic discusses questions and common concerns
	MayoClinic.com - guide to Internet resources on immunizations
	National Network for Immunization Information
	Association of State and Territorial Health Officials - directly access state health departments for immunization information.
	Safer Child Travel page for vaccine information related to travel
	Journal of the American Medical Association - in its August 8, 2001, issue, the journal published a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the rate of bacterial meningitis in college freshmen. The study concludes that college freshmen have a higher risk of contracting bacterial meningitis and therefore should be targeted for vaccination.
	U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - adult immunization schedule

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