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At birth,
infants have
protection
against certain
diseases because
antibodies have
passed through
the placenta
from the mother
to the unborn
child. After
birth, breastfed
babies get the
continued
benefits of
additional
antibodies in
breast milk. But
in both cases,
the protection
is only
temporary.
Immunization
(vaccination) is
a way of
creating
immunity to
certain diseases
by using small
amounts of a
killed or
weakened
microorganism
that causes the
particular
disease.
Microorganisms
can be viruses,
such as the
measles virus,
or they can be
bacteria, such
as
pneumococcus.
Vaccines
stimulate the
immune system to
react as if
there were a
real infection —
it fends off the
"infection" and
remembers the
organism so that
it can fight it
quickly should
it enter the
body later.
Some parents may
hesitate to have
their kids
vaccinated
because they're
worried that the
children will
have serious
reactions or may
get the illness
the vaccine is
supposed to
prevent. Because
the components
of vaccines are
weakened or
killed — and in
some cases, only
parts of the
microorganism
are used —
they're unlikely
to cause any
serious illness.
Some vaccines
may cause mild
reactions, such
as soreness
where the shot
was given or
fever, but
serious
reactions are
rare.
The risks of
vaccinations are
small compared
with the health
risks associated
with the
diseases they're
intended to
prevent.
The following
vaccinations and
schedules are
recommended by
the American
Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP).
Please note that
some variations
are acceptable
and that changes
in
recommendations
frequently occur
as new vaccines
are developed.
Many of these
vaccines are
available as
combinations to
reduce the
number of shots
a child
receives. Your
doctor will
determine the
best
vaccinations and
schedule for
your child. |
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