When it comes to childhood vaccination, certain misconceptions persist. Common among those is a fear that children get too many vaccines, thus “overloading” their immune system.
Experts, backed by scientific data, affirm that getting multiple vaccines at the same time does not harm immunity or cause any chronic health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Brittany Vanden Heuvel, a Nurse Practitioner with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Oshkosh, says it’s best to stick to the CDC’s child and adolescent immunization schedule.
“Vaccines undergo rigorous testing, both on their own and in combination with other vaccines they’re given with,” she says. “This means parents and guardians can trust the recommended schedule.”
How Vaccines Work
Countries throughout the world use and trust vaccines. In honor of World Immunization Week in April, it’s a good time to review how vaccines work.
Vaccines contain small amounts of an inactive or weakened germ — or a piece of its genetic material — that causes a certain disease. They stimulate the body’s immune system to react as if it were experiencing a real infection. The body fights the “infection” and remembers the germ so it can attack it if it enters the body later.
“If you have questions or doubts, ask your child’s health care provider,” Vanden Heuvel says. “They’re your top source for information about your child’s health and can answer any questions you have about vaccines and when they should be given.”
Why Vaccinate
To understand what’s at stake, look no further than recent news stories about a resurgence of measles in certain parts of the United States.
Childhood vaccines can prevent serious illness and death from a variety of diseases. Immunization also protects other people. That includes those who are too young or unable to get vaccinated, as well as people with weakened immune systems.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommends immunizations as the safest way to prevent disease, disability, and death in children. Vaccines prevent many once-common diseases. These include measles, mumps, and polio.
When assessing risk, it’s important to look beyond our own communities. For example, polio is rare in the United States. In other parts of the world, however, it’s not uncommon. The ease of travel in today’s world means diseases can spread more quickly and easily. An American child not vaccinated against polio could come into contact with the disease, develop it, and spread it to others.
Understanding the Immunization Schedule
The CDC sets the immunization schedules based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations. The AAP, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also approve the schedule.
The AAP recommends children receive combination vaccines whenever possible. Combination vaccines take two or more vaccines that could be given individually and put them together in one shot. Examples include DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella).
For kids, combination vaccines mean fewer shots, less pain and discomfort, and on-time protection, according to the CDC. Parents enjoy the benefit of fewer trips to the doctor, meaning less hassle and time away from work or free time.
“Getting multiple vaccines at once is safe,” Vanden Heuvel says. “Children’s immune systems are exposed to countless germs every day. The number of antibody-producing elements in vaccines is tiny compared to everyday exposures.”
In addition to routine vaccines, experts recommend the annual influenza shot and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for children ages 6 months and older.
Sticking to the Schedule
Study after study has shown that vaccines are safe and effective. Serious reactions are rare but possible. However, vaccines typically cause only mild side effects that go away within a couple of days.
Failing to adhere to the vaccine schedule may put children at increased risk of contracting preventable diseases. For example, they may be exposed to a disease such as the mumps before their body has built up a resistance, Vanden Heuvel says.
“It’s vital to stick to the recommended vaccine schedule,” Vanden Heuvel says. “On-time vaccination protects children and helps them stay healthy as they get older.”
If your child is due for a vaccine or checkup, schedule online today.
