Get your child vaccinated

How much damage can one small study do? 21 years after British researchers published a paper saying the MMR vaccine caused autism, the fallout continues. Never mind that the study only included 12 subjects. Or that the journal that published it retracted it. Or that countless – and better executed – studies have debunked it. The damage was done. 21 years later, the rate of unvaccinated children continues to rise, and diseases once considered eradicated are making a dangerous return.

Keep your children healthy – vaccinate.

Balancing the benefits vs. risks

Documented side effects for children from vaccines are minor – low-grade fever, fussiness, and soreness. Serious side effects such as seizures are rare. Do parents have a right to be concerned? Of course. But leaving your child unvaccinated exposes them to the far greater risk of contracting a potentially serious disease that can be avoided. It also protects people around you who can’t be vaccinated due to medical reasons, including vulnerable infants and those with reduced immunity. The benefits of vaccinating your child far outweigh the small risk.

On-time vaccinations protect your children

Not delaying vaccinations and adhering to the schedule recommended by your doctor protects your child before they can be exposed.

For you:

Recommended by the CDC: Seasonal flu vaccine; Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) at least one month before pregnancy; Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) during the 3rd trimester of each pregnancy. If you receive the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, your body will create antibodies against whooping cough, some of which will pass to your baby to provide some short-term, early protection.³

For your child (Note: Many vaccines require multiple doses to build immunity)

Prior to age 2:

Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB): Protects against contagious liver disease
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP): Protections include whooping cough
Pneumococcal (PCV13): Protects against pneumococcal pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, and otitis media (middle ear infection).
Polio vaccine (IPV)
Rotavirus vaccine (RV): Protects against a common cause of infant diarrhea
Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Protects against Hib, a leading cause of bacterial meningitis
Flu vaccine: All children over 6 mos. of age should receive a seasonal flu vaccination annually
Chickenpox vaccine (varicella)
Hepatitis A

Aged 3-10:

Chickenpox vaccine (varicella)
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
Flu vaccine (annually)
Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR)
Polio vaccine (IPV)

Aged 11-12:

Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV): Protects against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers; given in three shots over a six-month period and recommended for both boys and girls
Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine: Protects against one type of meningococcal bacteria, which can cause serious and even deadly infections, including meningitis
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine (Tdap)
Flu vaccine (annually)
“Catch-up” vaccines: HepB, polio, MMR and varicella vaccines, if they were not received when younger

College age:

Before your child heads off the college, check with their doctor to make sure they are current on all vaccinations, including protections against HPV and meningitis.

As adults:

Flu vaccine (annually)
Tetanus vaccine (every 10 years)
Shingles vaccine (over the age of 50)
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, followed by one dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (over the age of 65; If you are an adult younger than 65 with a disease such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or HIV, your doctor may also recommend these vaccines.)
Others, based on your health, lifestyle, travel activities or job

The CDC has created a helpful handout outlining the recommended vaccination schedule5, along with a description of each. Download it here to keep handy as your child grows.