|
How Childhood Vaccines Work
Infants receive antibodies in utero from their mothers (maternal antibodies). If breast-fed, they continue to
receive antibodies while breastfeeding. The immunity an infant receives from its mother is temporary.
Vaccines are given to stimulate the production of antibodies so the child can fight off infection if exposed.
There are two types of vaccines:
- "Live" vaccines, which are made of a weakened form of
the virus that causes the disease. The measles vaccine is an example. Lifelong immunity results after one to two
doses of the vaccines.
- "Killed" vaccines are also called "inactivated." The
child must be given several doses of a killed vaccine, such as the inactivated polio vaccine, to be
effective. Killed vaccines such as tetanus and diphtheria require booster
shots throughout life to remain effective.
|
Recommended Childhood
Immunizations
The recommended immunization schedule is as follows:
- Hepatitis B - Vaccination at birth, 2 months, 1-4 months,
and 6-18 months
- Diptheria/tetanus/acellular pertussis
(DtaP - Vaccination at 2, 4, 6, 15-18 months and 4-6 years, with a tetanus
booster shot every 10 years
- H. influenzae type b (Hib) - Vaccinations at 2, 4, 6, and
12-15 months.
- Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) - Vaccinations at 2, 4,
6-18 months and 4-6 years
- Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) - Vaccinations at 12 -18 months
and 4-6 years
- Varicella (chickenpox - One vaccination at 12-18 months
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine - Vaccinations at 2, 4, 6
and 12-15 months; at the physicians discretion if the child is older than 23 months.
-
Note: Information taken from the schedule on the CDC National
Immunization Program website, http://www.cdc.gov/nip/default.htm.
|
New
Pediatric Combination Vaccine
The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new
combination vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio,
and Hepatitis B. This vaccine, PediatrixTM,
developed by SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, is given at
ages 2, 4, and 6 months.
For
further information, go to this FDA
press release. |
|
Tips for Teaching Parents About Immunizations
Here are several tips for teaching parents about
immunizations:
- Vaccinations have led to a startling decrease in deaths
and complications (particularly brain damage) from childhood diseases. Though living conditions and nutrition
improved in the U.S. during the time that childhood infectious diseases declined, immunizations have directly
decreased the incidence of these diseases.
- Only a few children cannot take immunizations,
typically due to allergies to components of the vaccine. The risks of getting a communicable disease are far
greater than the risks of taking a vaccine.
- Redness and swelling at the site of an injection are common and fever
and rash are not uncommon. Rare complications are severe allergic reaction, brain swelling, or seizures. There is
no evidence that immunizations cause autism or sudden infant death syndrome.
- Written parental consent is necessary
before a child is given immunizations.
- Do not get the child immunized if he or she is ill with
a cold, diarrhea, vomiting, or an ear infection.
- Children with a brain condition or history of seizures,
or who have an immediate family member with a brain condition or history of seizures, should not receive the
DTaP vaccine.
- Children with a history of allergy to gelatin or
neomycin should not receive the MMR vaccine.
- Children with a history of cancer, a compromised immune
system, or low platelets typically should not be given MMR.
- Children who have a serious reaction to a specific
vaccine should not be given that vaccine in the future.
- The benefits and risks of each vaccination are
available in the CDC's "Vaccine Information sheets," http://www.cdc.gov/nip/default.htm.
|
Immunization Websites
To explore the latest on immunizations, check out these websites:
American Nurses Association INNpower page
http://nursingworld.org/innpower/innhome.htm
Provides the most update information on childhood immunizations
Childhood Immunization Schedule
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm#Printable
Recommended schedule from the Center for Disease Control
"Every Child by Two"
http://www.ecbt.org
Purpose is to raise awareness of timely infant immunizations; campaign headed by former First Lady of
the U.S., Rosalyn Carter, and former First Lady of Arkansas, Betty Bumpers
Immunization Action Coalition
http://www.immunize.org/
Source for information about adult and child immunization
National Immunization Program
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/
Information on benefits of immunization, vaccine safety, scheduling, and parent education
National Infant Immunization Week, April 14-20, 2002
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/niiw/default.htm
Emphasizes the importance of getting infants started on immunizations as recommended.
|
