| A Service of Knox Community Hospital |
Immunization Overview
Regular checkups at your pediatrician's office or local health clinic are an important way to keep
children healthy. By making sure that your child gets immunized on time, you can provide the
best available defense against many dangerous childhood diseases. Immunizations protect
children against:
- Hepatitis B
- Polio
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (German measles)
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus (lockjaw)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
- Chickenpox
All of these immunizations need to be given
before children are 2 years old in order for
them to be protected during their most
vulnerable period. Are your child's immunizations up to date?
Remember to keep track of your child's immunizations -- it's the only way you can be sure your
child is up to date. Also, check with your pediatrician or health clinic at each visit to find out if
your child needs any booster shots or if any new vaccines have been recommended since this
schedule was prepared.
If you don't have a pediatrician, call your local health department. Public health clinics usually
have supplies of vaccine and may give shots free.
Common Myths About Immunizations
"I read that the DTP vaccine can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)."
There is no scientific evidence that links the DTaP or DTP shot and SIDS. This myth continues
because the first dose is given at 2 months of age, when the risk of SIDS is greatest. However,
these events are not connected.
"I saw on the news that there are "hot lots" of vaccines that are more dangerous than
other lots."
The federal government set up the national Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System
(VAERS) to receive reports of vaccine reactions. People may think that if a large number of
VAERS reports result from a particular batch of vaccine ("hot lot"), then it must be dangerous.
To date, no vaccine lot has ever been found to be unsafe based on VAERS reports.
Keep in mind, all vaccines are licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vaccine
manufacturing facilities are licensed and regularly inspected. In addition, every vaccine lot is
safety-tested by the manufacturer. The fact that a vaccine is still being used means that the
FDA considers it safe.
"I've heard that it is unsafe to immunize a child who has a cold and fever. Is this true?"
A child with a minor illness can safely be immunized. Minor illnesses include the following:
- Low-grade fever
- Ear infection
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Mild diarrhea in an otherwise healthy child
"I've heard that some children have serious side effects from vaccines so they must not
be very safe."
Reactions to vaccines may occur, but they are usually mild. Severe reactions to vaccines are
very rare. Symptoms of a more serious reaction include the following:
- Very high fever
- Generalized rash
- Large amount of swelling at the point of injection
If any of these symptoms occur, call your pediatrician right away. If your child experiences any
side effects after a vaccination, talk to your pediatrician. Together you can decide whether your
child should receive another dose of the same vaccine.
Children with other health problems may need to avoid certain vaccines or get them later than
usual. For example, children with certain types of cancers or problems with their immune
systems should not get live virus vaccines like the MMR, varicella, or oral polio vaccines. For
children with seizures, the pertussis part of the DTaP vaccine may need to be delayed. Ask your
pediatrician when the vaccine can be given.
"I've heard that giving a child more than one immunization at a time can be dangerous."
Studies and years of experience show that vaccines used for routine childhood immunizations
can be safely given together. Side effects when multiple vaccines are given together are no
greater than when each vaccine is given on separate occasions. Talk to your pediatrician if you
are concerned about the number of vaccines your child is scheduled to receive.
"Immunizations hurt."
They may hurt a little, and your baby may cry for a few minutes. There may be some temporary
swelling where your child was injected. However, protecting your child's long-term health is
worth a few tears.
________________________________________________________
If your child is old enough to understand, explain that immunizations help prevent some very
serious illnesses. Comfort and play with your child after the immunization. Acetaminophen can
be used to help relieve some of the more common side effects, such as irritability and fever, but
always check the dosage with your pediatrician.
Regular checkups at your pediatrician's office or local health clinic are an important way to keep
children healthy. By making sure that your child gets immunized on time, you can provide the
best available defense against many dangerous childhood diseases. Immunizations protect
children against:
- Hepatitis B
- Polio
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (German measles)
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus (lockjaw)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
- Chickenpox
All of these immunizations need to be given
before children are 2 years old in order for
them to be protected during their most
vulnerable period. Are your child's immunizations up to date?
Remember to keep track of your child's immunizations -- it's the only way you can be sure your
child is up to date. Also, check with your pediatrician or health clinic at each visit to find out if
your child needs any booster shots or if any new vaccines have been recommended since this
schedule was prepared.
If you don't have a pediatrician, call your local health department. Public health clinics usually
have supplies of vaccine and may give shots free.
Common Myths About Immunizations
"I read that the DTP vaccine can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)."
There is no scientific evidence that links the DTaP or DTP shot and SIDS. This myth continues
because the first dose is given at 2 months of age, when the risk of SIDS is greatest. However,
these events are not connected.
"I saw on the news that there are "hot lots" of vaccines that are more dangerous than
other lots."
The federal government set up the national Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System
(VAERS) to receive reports of vaccine reactions. People may think that if a large number of
VAERS reports result from a particular batch of vaccine ("hot lot"), then it must be dangerous.
To date, no vaccine lot has ever been found to be unsafe based on VAERS reports.
Keep in mind, all vaccines are licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vaccine
manufacturing facilities are licensed and regularly inspected. In addition, every vaccine lot is
safety-tested by the manufacturer. The fact that a vaccine is still being used means that the
FDA considers it safe.
"I've heard that it is unsafe to immunize a child who has a cold and fever. Is this true?"
A child with a minor illness can safely be immunized. Minor illnesses include the following:
- Low-grade fever
- Ear infection
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Mild diarrhea in an otherwise healthy child
"I've heard that some children have serious side effects from vaccines so they must not
be very safe."
Reactions to vaccines may occur, but they are usually mild. Severe reactions to vaccines are
very rare. Symptoms of a more serious reaction include the following:
- Very high fever
- Generalized rash
- Large amount of swelling at the point of injection
If any of these symptoms occur, call your pediatrician right away. If your child experiences any
side effects after a vaccination, talk to your pediatrician. Together you can decide whether your
child should receive another dose of the same vaccine.
Children with other health problems may need to avoid certain vaccines or get them later than
usual. For example, children with certain types of cancers or problems with their immune
systems should not get live virus vaccines like the MMR, varicella, or oral polio vaccines. For
children with seizures, the pertussis part of the DTaP vaccine may need to be delayed. Ask your
pediatrician when the vaccine can be given.
"I've heard that giving a child more than one immunization at a time can be dangerous."
Studies and years of experience show that vaccines used for routine childhood immunizations
can be safely given together. Side effects when multiple vaccines are given together are no
greater than when each vaccine is given on separate occasions. Talk to your pediatrician if you
are concerned about the number of vaccines your child is scheduled to receive.
"Immunizations hurt."
They may hurt a little, and your baby may cry for a few minutes. There may be some temporary
swelling where your child was injected. However, protecting your child's long-term health is
worth a few tears.
________________________________________________________
If your child is old enough to understand, explain that immunizations help prevent some very
serious illnesses. Comfort and play with your child after the immunization. Acetaminophen can
be used to help relieve some of the more common side effects, such as irritability and fever, but
always check the dosage with your pediatrician.
| View and print Immunization Schedules 2006 Schedule (pocket size) 2006 Schedule (English) 2006 Schedule (Spanish) |
| Community Pediatrics 1320 Coshocton Road, Suite F Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050 (740) 393-9111 charles.bell@knoxcommhosp.org |
| Community Pediatrics |
