Vaccines are among the most important necessities to the maintenance of children’s health and safety. They protect children from serious — and potentially deadly — infections, including whooping cough (or pertussis), tetanus, measles, chickenpox, polio, rotavirus, viral hepatitis (a liver infection that can lead to liver failure) and bacterial meningitis.
Vaccines can also reduce the incidence and severity of ear infections and pneumonia. Vaccines are recommended not only by the CDC, but also the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Vaccines have stirred controversy in recent years — especially with the growing influence of social media. However, the safety of vaccines continues to be proven and reaffirmed again, again — and again — in studies conducted in the United States and around the globe. Vaccines are stringently regulated by the FDA. Vaccine-preventable illnesses are very serious and can be fatal to children or leave them permanently devastated.
There are no “unnecessary” or unimportant vaccines
The schedule of vaccines laid out by the CDC is purposeful and strategic.
Aside from the first hepatitis B vaccine given at birth, an infant’s first round of shots is given at the 2-month well check. The same vaccines are given again at 4 months and 6 months. Doses of these vaccines are safe for babies of those ages and repeat doses serve as “boosters” that cumulatively optimize immunity.
A baby is not considered fully protected until after the vaccination series has been completed.
In almost any infectious illness — whether vaccine-preventable or not — a baby is more likely to die or suffer serious complications when younger than 6 months of age.
Your individual cases and concerns should be discussed with a child’s provider, but generally the infant’s immune system is easily able to receive the vaccines without being overwhelmed or endangered at the specific ages recommended on the schedule.
The pediatric providers at Tanner Healthcare for Children take the health and safety of our patients seriously. We believe very strongly in the safety and importance of vaccination. Not only are we — as pediatricians — “pro-vax,” we are also “pro-education” about immunizations.
We love to talk to parents about any questions or concerns they may have about vaccines, their safety or their schedule.
The best approach to pediatric medicine includes open and full communication between parents, patients, and pediatricians.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains important for children to stay on schedule — not only with vaccines, but with well-checks in general. We’re happy to see our patients, and we’re taking extra precautions to ensure patient safety and health during these times.
Call us at Tanner Healthcare for Children and let us know how we can help your kids keep up-to-date with well checks and vaccines so they can keep living their happiest, healthiest lives!
Vaccination resources