Importance of childhood immunization

One the most important ways to prevent disease in your children is to make sure they receive recommended childhood immunizations. Although many of the vaccine-preventable diseases rarely occur in the U.S. today, the viruses and bacteria that cause those diseases still exist. Infectious diseases caused by those pathogens can occur in children who are not protected by vaccines and the pathogens can cause serious diseases and sometimes long-term medical consequences for children who become infected.

Vaccines control many infectious diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib, once the most common cause of meningitis in children), and many other dangerous diseases.

Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save thousands of lives.


HOW VACCINES WORK

Vaccines help your child's body to develop immunity (ability to fight diseases). Usually when bacteria or viruses enter the body, they start to multiply. Your child's immune system recognizes those pathogens as outside invaders and responds by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies will help destroy the bacteria or viruses that are making your child sick. They can't act fast enough to prevent your child from becoming sick, but by eliminating the attacking bacteria or viruses, antibodies help your child get well.

Once these antibodies are produced in your child's body, they remain in her bloodstream for many years. Those antibodies protect your child from infections in the future, as they can destroy the bacteria or viruses before they have a chance to make her sick. Newborn babies may have immunity to some diseases because they have antibodies they got from their mothers; however, this immunity may last only a month to about a year.

Vaccines are made from the same bacteria or viruses (or parts of them) that cause disease. For example, measles vaccine is made from measles virus and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine is made from parts of the Hib bacteria. But the pathogens in vaccines are either killed or weakened so that they won't make your child sick. Vaccines containing those attenuated (weakened) or inactivated (killed) bacteria or viruses are usually injected into your child's body, but sometimes are given by mouth or as a nasal spray. Your child's immune system reacts to the vaccine by making antibodies, the same as it would if it were being infected with the disease. The antibodies stay in your child's body, giving her immunity if she is exposed to the natural disease.

Information about medications is constantly changing because of new research and knowledge from the ongoing use of each drug. The information about medications is often subject to interpretation and the uniqueness of each child and his medical condition. While care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, the reader is advised that the authors, editors, reviewers, contributors, and publishers cannot be responsible that the information in this book remains up-to-date or for any errors or omissions or for any associated consequences. Because of the ever changing nature of drug information, decisions regarding your child's medications and medical care must be based on the judgment of his doctor. If after reading and reviewing any information in this chapter or from other sources you have special concerns about the medications you are giving your child, talk to your child's doctor before you make any changes. Do not stop giving medication to your child without talking to your child's doctor, pharmacist, or other health-care provider.