Immunizations or vaccinations are preventive against illnesses and diseases that once could claim the lives of infants and children. Without vaccines, your child could be exposed to potentially fatal conditions, such as polio, whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. Vaccines have a two-way benefit in that they protect your child as well as the community.
So why do some parents have hesitations when it comes to vaccines? A common reason is a concern about serious side effects. Another is doubt about the efficacy of the vaccine. Since not getting your kid vaccinated poses serious risks, we will discuss everything you need to know about vaccine shots for kids.
What Vaccines Do Kids Need?
Here’s a list of vaccines that children need to stay healthy:
- Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine (RV)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV) vaccine
- Influenza virus vaccination
- Measles, mumps, rubella(MMR)vaccine
- Varicella(chickenpox)vaccine
These vaccines are administered in various stages of childhood, typically during routine well-child visits with their pediatrician.
What Are Some Side Effects of Vaccines in Kids?
Some parents hesitate about vaccines for kids, because they are worried about the potential side effects that are warned against in misinformation campaigns. Parents should not worry about the side effects of vaccines on kids. Vaccines are thoroughly reviewed and rigorously tested for safety by scientists, doctors, healthcare professionals, and the FDA before they are approved for use.
Vaccines contain a weakened or inactive form of the virus or bacteria, just enough to trigger an immune response. The vast majority of children who receive vaccinations do not experience any serious side effects, and claims about vaccines causing autism have been disproved. While allergic reactions can happen, they are almost always mild and treatable.
All in all, the risks of not having a child vaccinated are much greater than the risk that a vaccine poses, as these illnesses, infections, and diseases can cause severe discomfort, trauma, disability, long-term consequences, and even death.
Can Kids Fight Off Diseases Without Vaccinations?
Some parents believe that their children’s immune systems are strong enough to fight off diseases without the need for vaccinations. However, kids cannot fight off the diseases that they are not vaccinated against, because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Vaccines help to protect them by teaching their bodies how to recognize and fight these specific infections. Some diseases are simply too dangerous and serious to fight on your own and can have lifelong repercussions on one’s life.
Do Kids Need More Than One Vaccine Shot?
The vaccines given to infants and children have been evaluated for their safety and effectiveness. When a vaccine is given to a child, it stimulates their immune system to produce antibodies against the disease. The more vaccinations a child gets, the more opportunities they have to build up immunity against various diseases. In some cases, multiple vaccines are necessary, while in others, one vaccine over a lifetime will suffice. Talk to your child’s pediatrician to learn more.
Childhood Vaccinations in Spring and The Woodlands, TX
The pediatricians at Northwoods Pediatric Center, P.A. provide all the vaccinations babies and children need to protect themselves against dangerous diseases. Our providers are more than happy to help you with any questions and concerns you may have about vaccines and their safety. Rest assured, we are committed to your child’s health and safety. To schedule an appointment with one of our pediatricians, call our pediatric clinic today at (281) 296-7770 or use our convenient online appointment request form.
