Why does my infant need an immunization, when she/he is already immune to many things at birth?

It is true that newborn babies are immune to many diseases because they have protection from their mothers. However, this immunity only lasts about a year. Further, most young children do not have maternal immunity from whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, or Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Why are vaccines necessary for the health of my child?

When children are born, they have a temporary immunity to some, but not all, childhood diseases. It is important to vaccinate children against diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, chickenpox and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Additionally, the immunity children receive at birth from their mother is temporary, meaning infants need to receive several doses of a vaccine in order to produce a lasting immunity against a disease.

Immunizing individual children helps to protect the health of our community. Vaccinating children will help to reduce the risk of exposing people who are immunocompromised (meaning their immune systems do not fight infection normally) from certain childhood diseases. Immunocompromised individuals are unable to receive certain vaccines according to the CDC.

Before vaccines, many children died of diseases like whooping cough, measles, and polio. Those same germs exist today, but babies are now protected by vaccines, and so, we do not see these diseases as often.

How do vaccines prevent disease?

Most vaccine-preventable diseases are caused by germs that are called "viruses" or "bacteria." Vaccines to help prevent these diseases generally contain weakened or killed viruses or bacteria specific to the disease. Vaccines help your body recognize and fight these germs and protect you each time you come in contact with someone who is sick with any of these diseases.

There are a series of steps that your body goes through in fighting these diseases:

First - A vaccine is given by a shot (for children older than five years of age and some adults, influenza vaccine may be given by a nasal spray.)

Next - Over the next few weeks the body makes antibodies and memory cells against the weakened or dead germs in the vaccine.

Then - The antibodies can fight the real disease germs if the person is exposed to the germs and they invade the body. The antibodies will help destroy the germs and the person will not become ill.

Finally - Antibodies and memory cells stay on guard in the body for years after the vaccination to safeguard it from the real disease germs.

Most vaccines are given to babies and young children, but some are needed throughout your lifetime to make sure you stay protected. This protection is called immunity. Vaccines are an important and safe way to keep you healthy.
(Explanation from www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/howvpd.htm)

What is the difference between required and recommended vaccines?

Required vaccines are those that are mandated by law for children to have. These fall under the Public Health Laws for Immunizations. The required vaccines vary from state to state and do change at times due to new information and recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In North Carolina, every child present in this State shall be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis B, haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), red measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella. For more information about North Carolina's immunization laws, please click here.

The enforcement of these laws often occurs when a child enters childcare, school or college. Records are reviewed before entry into such facilities and parents are informed if the child is not up to date.

Recommended vaccines are just that: immunizations that have been recommended by the ACIP to help prevent certain types of infectious diseases, but are not required by law. They often target specific populations of people that may be at a higher risk than the general public of contracting certain vaccine-preventable diseases. At times, these vaccines may begin as a recommendation and then become required later as studies and data show increased benefits if given to the general population.

Are vaccines tested and monitored for safety?

Yes. Before vaccines are licensed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires they be extensively tested to ensure safety. This process can take 10 years or longer. Once a vaccine is in use, CDC and FDA monitor its side effects through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Any indication of a problem with a vaccine prompts further investigations by the CDC and FDA. If researchers find a vaccine may be causing a serious side effect, the CDC and FDA will initiate actions appropriate to the nature of the problem. This may include the changing of vaccine labels or packaging, distributing safety alerts, inspecting manufacturers' facilities and records, withdrawing recommendations for the use of the vaccine, or revoking the vaccine's license. For more information about VAERS, visit http://vaers.hhs.gov or call the toll-free VAERS information line at 1-800-822-7967.

Who should not be vaccinated?

Some people should not get certain vaccines or should wait to get them. For instance, children with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients, often need to wait to be vaccinated. Similarly, if a person has had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, she or he should not receive another dose. However, a person with a mild, common illness, such as a cold with a low-grade fever, does not have to wait to be vaccinated. Ask your health care provider for more information.

How many people experience side effects following vaccination?

In most cases, vaccines cause no side effects, or only mild reactions such as fever or soreness at the injection site. Very rarely, people experience more serious side effects, like allergic reactions. Severe reactions to vaccines occur so rarely that the risk is usually difficult to calculate.

Do multiple vaccinations increase the risk of side effects?

Many parents worry when their child needs to receive more than one vaccine at the same time. Studies show that giving a child multiple vaccinations for different diseases at the same time is safe, effective and does not increase the risk of side effects.

What signs of a moderate or severe reaction should I look for?

After you or your child is vaccinated, look for any unusual conditions, such as a serious allergic reaction, high fever or behavior changes. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness, and swelling of the throat.

What should be done if someone has a reaction to a vaccine?

If someone is experiencing a severe reaction to a vaccine with symptoms such as difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, weakness, or dizziness, call 911 or take him or her to the Emergency Room right away.  For questions or concerns about mild to moderate vaccine reactions, contact your doctor.

After any reaction, tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.  Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form, or call VAERS yourself at 1-800-822-7967.  In the rare event that a vaccine injures a child, he or she may be compensated through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). For more information about VICP visit http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or call 1-800-338-2382.