Immunizations

Immunizations

Schedule By Age

Schedule By Vaccine

Preparing Your Child

After The Shots

Car Seats
Helmuts
Child Proofing Your Home
Water Safety
Second Hand Smoke

Immunizations

At birth, children are immune to certain diseases as a result of antibodies that have passed through the placenta from the mother to the unborn child. Breast-fed babies continue to receive the benefits of additional antibodies in breast milk. However, immunity is only temporary. Immunization, via vaccination, is one of the best ways to protect your child from contagious diseases.

Immunization provides a way to reproduce the antibodies that infants are born with. Vaccines stimulate the immune system into react as if there were a real infection. The immune system fights off the "infection" and remembers the organism so it can fight it off quickly if it attempts to invade the body at a future time.

Due to media stories about rare instances when a child has developed complications from taking a vaccine, some parents are hesitant to have their child immunized. Millions of children get vaccines each year. To be approved, vaccines must be shown to be safe and effective. The risk of harm from getting sick is much greater than any risk from the shot itself.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following vaccinations and immunization schedule. As new vaccines are developed, your pediatrician will determine the best vaccinations and the schedule for your child. You can also prepare your child for immunization and help ease any discomfort after the shots.

HebB

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that infects the liver. Those infected can become carriers and have long-term problems such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or cancer of the liver. This series of vaccinations provide lifelong immunity.

DTaP

The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough). In most states, DTaP is required before a child starts school although it is recommended for administration in a series of shots in infancy. Booster shots are also recommended between ages 11 and 12 and then every ten years thereafter.

Hib

Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria were the leading cause of meningitis in children until the Hib vaccine became available. In addition to providing long-term protection against meningitis, the vaccine also protects against pneumonia, pericarditis (an infection of the membrane covering the heart) and infections of the blood, bones, and joints caused by bacterial.

IPV

Polio is a gastrointestinal viral infection that can result in permanent paralysis. Immunization is required before starting school in most of the U.S. Until recently, oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was an acceptable choice; however, new recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices call for IPV injections. This change eliminates the previous small risk associated with oral polio vaccine.

MMR

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella -- German measles. MMR vaccinations are usually given in two doses. Most schools require proof of at least one MMR injection prior to starting Kindergarten. More than 90% of the children receiving MMR vaccine will be protected from the three diseases throughout their lives.

Var

The varicella vaccine protects against chicken pox, a common childhood viral illness. The vaccine prevents the illness in 70-90% of the children who receive it. If a vaccinated child does get chicken pox, it is generally a mild case.

International Travel

If you will be traveling internationally with your children, ask your health care provider for a list of immunizations required for various countries. Depending on the type and length of travel, some vaccines may be recommended. Most immunizations should be given at least one month before travel. Take your child's immunization records with you when you travel internationally. The Center for Disease Control maintains a 24-hour International Traveler's Hotline for your convenience: 404-332-4559.

COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS | YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT
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Healthworks on Videotape

If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Immunizations Schedule By Age Schedule By Vaccine Preparing Your Child After The Shots Car Seats Helmuts Child Proofing Your Home Water Safety Second Hand Smoke		Immunizations At birth, children are immune to certain diseases as a result of antibodies that have passed through the placenta from the mother to the unborn child. Breast-fed babies continue to receive the benefits of additional antibodies in breast milk. However, immunity is only temporary. Immunization, via vaccination, is one of the best ways to protect your child from contagious diseases. Immunization provides a way to reproduce the antibodies that infants are born with. Vaccines stimulate the immune system into react as if there were a real infection. The immune system fights off the "infection" and remembers the organism so it can fight it off quickly if it attempts to invade the body at a future time. Due to media stories about rare instances when a child has developed complications from taking a vaccine, some parents are hesitant to have their child immunized. Millions of children get vaccines each year. To be approved, vaccines must be shown to be safe and effective. The risk of harm from getting sick is much greater than any risk from the shot itself. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following vaccinations and immunization schedule. As new vaccines are developed, your pediatrician will determine the best vaccinations and the schedule for your child. You can also prepare your child for immunization and help ease any discomfort after the shots. HebB Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that infects the liver. Those infected can become carriers and have long-term problems such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or cancer of the liver. This series of vaccinations provide lifelong immunity. DTaP The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough). In most states, DTaP is required before a child starts school although it is recommended for administration in a series of shots in infancy. Booster shots are also recommended between ages 11 and 12 and then every ten years thereafter. Hib Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria were the leading cause of meningitis in children until the Hib vaccine became available. In addition to providing long-term protection against meningitis, the vaccine also protects against pneumonia, pericarditis (an infection of the membrane covering the heart) and infections of the blood, bones, and joints caused by bacterial. IPV Polio is a gastrointestinal viral infection that can result in permanent paralysis. Immunization is required before starting school in most of the U.S. Until recently, oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was an acceptable choice; however, new recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices call for IPV injections. This change eliminates the previous small risk associated with oral polio vaccine. MMR The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella -- German measles. MMR vaccinations are usually given in two doses. Most schools require proof of at least one MMR injection prior to starting Kindergarten. More than 90% of the children receiving MMR vaccine will be protected from the three diseases throughout their lives. Var The varicella vaccine protects against chicken pox, a common childhood viral illness. The vaccine prevents the illness in 70-90% of the children who receive it. If a vaccinated child does get chicken pox, it is generally a mild case. International Travel If you will be traveling internationally with your children, ask your health care provider for a list of immunizations required for various countries. Depending on the type and length of travel, some vaccines may be recommended. Most immunizations should be given at least one month before travel. Take your child's immunization records with you when you travel internationally. The Center for Disease Control maintains a 24-hour International Traveler's Hotline for your convenience: 404-332-4559.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.