What are immunizations?
Immunizations, also called vaccinations, help protect you or your child from diseases. When you are given an immunization, you receive a vaccine that contains fragments of a disease organism or small amounts of a weakened disease organism. The vaccine causes your immune system to develop antibodies that can subsequently recognize and attack the organism if you are exposed to it. Sometimes an immunization does not completely prevent the disease, but it will significantly reduce its severity.
Immunizations are usually given by injection. Some immunizations are given only once, while others require several doses over time.
Why should I get immunized?
Immunizations help protect you or your child from disease. They also help reduce the spread of disease to others. Immunizations have greatly reduced the occurrence of epidemics.
Immunizations cost less than treating the diseases they protect against, have very few serious side effects, and are often required for entrance into school or day care
What immunizations are recommended for children?
The standard childhood immunization schedule includes vaccines for:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP).
- Polio (inactivated poliovirus vaccine, or IPV).
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
- Chickenpox (varicella).
- Hepatitis B (Hep B).
- Hepatitis A (Hep A).
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
- Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) for children younger than 5 years of age.
- Influenza (flu).
The flu vaccine is not given to children younger than 6 months of age. It is recommended for:
- All children 6 months through 59 months of age (4 years, 11 months).
- Children older than 59 months (5 years and older) with certain medical conditions (such as asthma, chronic heart or lung disorders, or an impaired immune system).
- Close contacts, including household contacts and out-of-home caregivers, of children 59 months of age and younger and of children older than 59 months who are at high risk for complications of the flu.
Immunizations begin at birth and are scheduled throughout a baby's first 18 months; booster shots are usually given between the ages of 4 and 6. Fewer immunizations are needed after age 6—mostly just those given yearly (such as a flu shot) or on a regular basis throughout adulthood (such as a tetanus shot).
All immunizations should be kept up to date. Additional vaccinations may be needed when traveling to certain parts of the world.
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