Babies are born with protection against certain diseases because antibodies from the mother were passed to them through the placenta. After birth, breastfed babies get the continued benefits of additional antibodies in breast milk. But in both cases, the protection is 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 AAP recommends that kids get combination vaccines (rather than single vaccines) whenever possible. Many vaccines are offered in combination to help reduce the number of shots a child receives.
Caring for Your Child after Immunization
The vaccine may cause mild fever, and soreness and redness in the area where the shot was given. Depending on the age of your child, pain and fever may be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Very young infants should not be given either medication, but for older babies or children, check with the doctor about the appropriate medication and dose.
Up Date of Influenza Vaccine
Influenza, or "the flu," is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract.
Immunization Schedule
Beginning in the 2010-2011 flu seasons, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against H1N1 flu, as well as other flu viruses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and older. Certain people are at higher risk of complications from the flu. They include:
- Pregnant women
- Children younger than age 5, especially those younger than 2
- People age 65 and older
- People of any age who have chronic health conditions
Infants younger than 6 months are too young to receive the vaccine, but all other high risk persons should be vaccinated. Health care workers, caregivers, and close contacts of at-risk persons (including those who care for infants younger than 6 months) should also get the flu vaccine.
For kids younger than 9 who are getting the seasonal influenza vaccine for the first time or did not get the H1N1 vaccine during the 2009-2010 flu seasons, it's given in two separate shots a month apart. It can take about 2 weeks after the shot is given for the body to build up protection against the flu.
Why the Vaccine Is Recommended
The flu vaccine reduces a child's chances of catching the flu by 70% or more when the vaccine viruses match the flu viruses. Even if you or your child got the seasonal flu vaccine last year, that won't protect you from getting the seasonal flu this year, because flu viruses constantly change. That's why the vaccine is updated each year to include the most current strains of the virus.
Possible Risks
Usually given as an injection in the upper arm, the flu shot contains killed flu viruses that will not cause someone to get the flu, but will cause the body to make antibodies to fight off a live flu virus if it does enter the body. Some of the most common side effects from the flu shot are soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the injection. A low-grade fever and aches are also possible. Because the nasal spray flu vaccine is made from live viruses, it may cause mild flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever. Very rarely, the flu vaccine can cause serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction.
When to Delay or Avoid Immunization
People who should not get the seasonal flu shot include:
- Infants under 6 months old
- Anyone who's severely allergic to eggs and egg products because the ingredients for flu shots are grown inside eggs. Tell the doctor if your child is allergic before he or she gets a flu shot.
- Anyone who's ever had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination
- Anyone who's had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS, a rare medical condition that affects the nerves)
- Anyone with a moderate-to-severe illness
Caring for Your Child after Immunization
Pain and fever may be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Check with your doctor to see if you can give either medication, and to find out the appropriate dose. Some doctors recommend a dose just before the immunization. A warm, damp cloth or a heating pad also may help minimize soreness. Moving or using the limb that has received the injection often reduces the soreness as well.
