| A very important method of protecting young | | | | safe. Children survive constant exposure to many |
| children from a multitude of serious diseases is | | | | different germs daily. They can handle the |
| the use of immunizations. If you are worried | | | | introduction of several weakened or killed disease |
| about your child getting these immunizations, take | | | | strains in a vaccine at the same time. |
| some time to understand the benefits and risks | | | | Times when your child should not be vaccinated |
| of the vaccines. | | | | include: |
| Potentially fatal diseases are most likely to occur | | | | If your child has a serious illness, it may be |
| when children are very young. Vaccines are given | | | | important to postpone the vaccination until he or |
| to children under school-age to help build up their | | | | she has recovered (and this is for certain |
| delicate immune systems against these diseases. | | | | vaccines, your doctor will decide) |
| If you wait until school-age to vaccinate these | | | | If a child develops a life-threatening reaction to |
| diseases may have already taken their toll on | | | | a particular vaccine, further doses of that |
| your child's health and many children may never | | | | particular vaccine should not be given |
| reach school age. There would be a return to a | | | | The common cold, sore throat or ear infection is |
| high infant mortality rate. | | | | not a reason to postponing vaccinations. |
| Each state requires an immunization record that | | | | You should not skip recommended vaccines as |
| usually has to be met before your child can enter | | | | this could leave you child vulnerable to the serious |
| school. You may need the proof of the | | | | disease that could otherwise be avoided. If you |
| immunization record at the time of registration. | | | | are worried or concerned about vaccinations, |
| Your local school system can provide you with | | | | consult with your child's doctors about these |
| the current state laws and immunization | | | | concerns. |
| requirements. If your religion prohibits | | | | Common side effects of vaccines include: |
| immunization, most states also provide a | | | | Low-grade fever |
| religious-exception clause. | | | | Soreness at the injection site |
| Immunity from the vaccine is usually as strong as | | | | Only under rare circumstances, your child may |
| immunity following the natural disease. Serious | | | | experience: |
| childhood diseases also may leave your child with | | | | Serious allergic reactions |
| a permanent disability or even death. The | | | | Neurological side effects |
| vaccines can be administered without risk of | | | | Keep in mind that for healthy children, the |
| serious effects. | | | | benefits of vaccine protection outweighs the rare |
| Some vaccines will require booster shots. These | | | | risks of vaccination. |
| include: | | | | Serious reactions are extremely rare, however, if |
| Tetanus shots | | | | your child does experience a serious reaction, |
| Pertussis shots | | | | contact your doctor immediately or go to your |
| These vaccines do not provide lifelong immunity. | | | | nearest emergency room facility. |
| The booster shots are necessary to keep the | | | | Source: Mayo Clinic |
| immune system built up against these diseases. | | | | Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes |
| Regular booster shots also keep as much of the | | | | only. It is not intended to be a substitute for |
| population as possible vaccine-protected, which | | | | informed medical advice or care. You should not |
| establishes "herd" immunity. Herd immunity is | | | | use the information in this article to diagnose or |
| when an individual has a lowered risk of catching a | | | | treat any health problems or illnesses without |
| disease, not just because he or she has been | | | | consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please |
| immunized, but because so many others have | | | | consult a doctor with any questions or concerns |
| been immunized. This leaves few people left who | | | | you might have regarding your or your child's |
| can spread the disease. | | | | condition. |
| Combination vaccines are provided only after | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource |
| years of research and testing proves them to be | | | | box. |