subject: Immunizations- What Are The Benefits And Risks? [print this page] For every newborn child, immunizations are an essential part of pediatric visits. Immunizations protect individuals and communities from harmful diseases. Many parents have concerns about vaccinating their child. Some fear that the immunizations could possibly infect their child with the disease it was intended to protect against. This line of thinking has been proven to be inaccurate, however, as patients have a significantly higher risk of getting the infection without getting a vaccination then if they neglect getting one.
What Are Immunizations?
Immunizations or vaccines are used to protect the immune system against various infections and diseases. By injecting small amounts of killed or weakened microorganisms into the bloodstream, the body will produce antibodies designed to fight off that infection. Because the injected microorganisms are weakened or dead, the body will not become infected with the disease. Instead, the antibodies that are produced will stay in the body and will be able to fight off future infections of the disease before they can become serious.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Vaccines?
There is a lot of misinformation floating around about the potential dangers of immunizations. The truth is that immunizations have been proven to be extremely safe. In addition, the potential risks of not getting a vaccine are far greater than if you decide not to get an injection. Before a vaccine is approved for use by the public, it goes through years of vigorous testing for safety and effectiveness. Doctors and pediatricians everywhere are in agreement that immunizations for children are both important and safe.
Common Immunizations
As medical science has advanced, more and more vaccinations have become available and widely used. Each one serves a purpose and can protect you or your child from a harmful disease or infection. Here are few of the more common vaccines that people receive:
*Hepatitis B. This disease affects the liver and can cause problems for the carrier for their entire lives. The vaccine is usually given as a series of three shots within a child's first 18 months.
*Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV). This protects against pneumococcal infections, the cause of pneumonia and bacterial meningitis. This is important for young children because they are most susceptible to these infections. The vaccine is administered in a series of four injections given to a child in its first 15 months.
*DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis). This vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis(whooping cough). This immunization is given as a series of five injections over the first six years of a child's life.
*Polio. The polio vaccine protects against the polio virus, a disease that affected a large number of people before the vaccine was invented. It is usually given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.
*MMR(Measles, Mumps, Rubella). This vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. These infections can lead to serious illnesses. The immunization is given at age 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years.
If you would like to learn more information about immunizations for your child, please contact your North Potomac pediatrician.
