Immunization
Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect your baby against serious diseases, especially between birth and age two.
Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect your baby against serious diseases, especially between birth and age two.
Vaccines are thoroughly tested before licensing and carefully monitored after they are licensed to ensure that they are very safe.
Vaccines are among the safest and most cost-effective ways to prevent disease. They not only protect vaccinated individuals but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
All vaccines used in the United States are required to go through years of extensive safety testing before they are licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA and CDC work with health care providers throughout the United States to monitor the safety of vaccines, including for any adverse events, especially rare events not identified in pre-licensure study trials.
There are three systems used to monitor the safety of vaccines after they are licensed and being used in the U.S. These systems can monitor side effects already known to be caused by vaccines, as well as detect rare side effects that were not identified during a vaccine’s clinical trials.
One of the three systems used to monitor the safety of vaccines after they are licensed and used in the U.S. is called the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). VAERS accepts reports from health professionals, vaccine manufacturers, and the general public and receives about 30,000 U.S. reports per year, compared with millions of doses given to adults.
Many types of adverse events occur after vaccination. About 85 to 90 percent of the reports describe mild adverse events such as fever, local reactions and mild irritability. The remaining reports reflect serious adverse events involving life-threatening conditions, hospitalization, permanent disability, or death, which may or may not have been caused by a vaccine.
Currently the U.S. has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. The U.S. longstanding vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible. As new information and science become available, this system will continue to be updated and improved.
Infographic: cdc.gov
CDC vaccine safety questions: cdc.gov
Vaccine safety – American Academy of Pediatrics: healthychildren.org
Vaccine are safe – National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine: nationalacademies.org
MYTH: A baby’s immune system can’t handle so many vaccines
FACT:Infant immune systems are stronger than you think. When a baby is born, his or her immune system is ready to respond to the many antigens in the environment and the selected antigens in vaccines. Children are given shots (vaccines) at a young age because this is when they are at highest risk of getting sick or dying if they get these diseases. [3]
FACT:Healthy babies get some protective antibodies from ther mothers, but immunity lasts only a few months. Newborn babies are immune to some diseases because of the antibodies they get from their mothers before they are born, but most babies do not get protective antibodies against diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, or Hib from their mothers. This is why it’s important to vaccinate a child before she or he is exposed to a disease. [3]
FACT:Babies are exposed to countless bacteria and viruses starting at birth and the viral or bacterial proteins or complex sugars (immunological components) contained in vaccines are small in comparison. Healthy babies carry trillions of bacteria in their bodies without becoming infected by them and they are constantly making antibodies against them. Vaccines use only a tiny portion of a baby ’s immune system’s ability to respond.
The current recommended immunization schedule protects babies and children from 14 diseases. The total number of immunological components is fewer than 150. Over the last 30 years, the protection children receive against vaccine-preventable diseases has doubled — from seven diseases to 14 — while the challenge to their immune system has decreased almost 95 percent. [1][2]
FACT:Today ’s vaccines are safer than ever before. The United States’ long-standing vaccine safety program closely and constantly monitors the safety of vaccines.
A critical part of the program, CDC’s Immunization Safety Office identifies possible vaccine side effects and conducts studies to determine whether health problems are caused by vaccines. Data show that the current U.S. vaccine supply is the safest in history. [4]
MYTH: Natural immunity is better than vaccine acquired immunity
FACT:Vaccines protect you from a disease before you get sick. Natural immunity happens after you get sick with a disease. And while it is true that natural infection almost always causes better immunity than vaccines, diseases can be serious – even deadly, especially for infants and people with weak or failing immune systems.
Vaccines don’t just protect you, they also protect the people around you. [5][6]
FACT:The number of people who have had severe allergic reactions from an MMR vaccine is less than one in a million. With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of reactions. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible.
It’s important to remember that – it’s much safer to get the vaccine than it is to get the disease or infection. For example, getting MMR vaccine is much safer than getting measles, mumps, or rubella disease. Most people who get MMR vaccine do not have any problems with it and there are no known risks to getting MMR vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. [7]
FACT:Vaccines protect everyone by building community or herd immunity. Germs can travel quickly through a community and make a lot of people sick. If enough people get sick, it can lead to an outbreak. But when enough people are vaccinated against a certain disease, the germs can’t travel as easily from person to person — and the entire community is less likely to get the disease.
That means even people who can’t get vaccinated will have some protection from getting sick. And if a person does get sick, there’s less chance of an outbreak because it’s harder for the disease to spread.
Community immunity protects everyone. But it’s especially important because some people can’t get vaccinated for certain diseases — such as people with some serious allergies and those with weakened or failing immune systems (like people who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, type 1 diabetes, or other health conditions). [8]
FACT:The risk of death from disease is much higher than the risk of complications or death from the vaccine. Modern vaccines are among the greatest public health achievements in history, preventing thousands of illnesses and deaths each year in the United States alone. However, as illness, disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases have decreased, concerns over vaccine safety have increased despite the reality that a person is far more likely to be seriously or fatally injured by a disease prevented by vaccines than by a vaccine itself. [9]
Sources: [1] Are infant immune systems overwhelmed by vaccines? [2] Too many vaccines? [3] Multiple vaccines and the immune system, [4] Vaccine safety (CDC), [5] Vaccines protect you, [6] Vaccine safety (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), [7] MMR VIS, [8] Vaccines protect your community, [9] Deaths following vaccination: What does the evidence show?
Vaccines are thoroughly tested before licensing and carefully monitored after they are licensed to ensure that they are very safe.
Vaccines are among the safest and most cost-effective ways to prevent disease. They not only protect vaccinated individuals but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
All vaccines used in the United States are required to go through years of extensive safety testing before they are licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA and CDC work with health care providers throughout the United States to monitor the safety of vaccines, including for any adverse events, especially rare events not identified in pre-licensure study trials.
There are three systems used to monitor the safety of vaccines after they are licensed and being used in the U.S. These systems can monitor side effects already known to be caused by vaccines, as well as detect rare side effects that were not identified during a vaccine’s clinical trials.
One of the three systems used to monitor the safety of vaccines after they are licensed and used in the U.S. is called the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). VAERS accepts reports from health professionals, vaccine manufacturers, and the general public and receives about 30,000 U.S. reports per year, compared with millions of doses given to adults.
Many types of adverse events occur after vaccination. About 85 to 90 percent of the reports describe mild adverse events such as fever, local reactions and mild irritability. The remaining reports reflect serious adverse events involving life-threatening conditions, hospitalization, permanent disability, or death, which may or may not have been caused by a vaccine.
Currently the U.S. has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. The U.S. longstanding vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible. As new information and science become available, this system will continue to be updated and improved.
Infographic: cdc.gov
CDC vaccine safety questions: cdc.gov
Vaccine safety – American Academy of Pediatrics: healthychildren.org
Vaccine are safe – National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine: nationalacademies.org
MYTH: A baby’s immune system can’t handle so many vaccines
FACT:Infant immune systems are stronger than you think. When a baby is born, his or her immune system is ready to respond to the many antigens in the environment and the selected antigens in vaccines. Children are given shots (vaccines) at a young age because this is when they are at highest risk of getting sick or dying if they get these diseases. [3]
FACT:Healthy babies get some protective antibodies from ther mothers, but immunity lasts only a few months. Newborn babies are immune to some diseases because of the antibodies they get from their mothers before they are born, but most babies do not get protective antibodies against diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, or Hib from their mothers. This is why it’s important to vaccinate a child before she or he is exposed to a disease. [3]
FACT:Babies are exposed to countless bacteria and viruses starting at birth and the viral or bacterial proteins or complex sugars (immunological components) contained in vaccines are small in comparison. Healthy babies carry trillions of bacteria in their bodies without becoming infected by them and they are constantly making antibodies against them. Vaccines use only a tiny portion of a baby ’s immune system’s ability to respond.
The current recommended immunization schedule protects babies and children from 14 diseases. The total number of immunological components is fewer than 150. Over the last 30 years, the protection children receive against vaccine-preventable diseases has doubled — from seven diseases to 14 — while the challenge to their immune system has decreased almost 95 percent. [1][2]
FACT:Today ’s vaccines are safer than ever before. The United States’ long-standing vaccine safety program closely and constantly monitors the safety of vaccines.
A critical part of the program, CDC’s Immunization Safety Office identifies possible vaccine side effects and conducts studies to determine whether health problems are caused by vaccines. Data show that the current U.S. vaccine supply is the safest in history. [4]
MYTH: Natural immunity is better than vaccine acquired immunity
FACT:Vaccines protect you from a disease before you get sick. Natural immunity happens after you get sick with a disease. And while it is true that natural infection almost always causes better immunity than vaccines, diseases can be serious – even deadly, especially for infants and people with weak or failing immune systems.
Vaccines don’t just protect you, they also protect the people around you. [5][6]
FACT:The number of people who have had severe allergic reactions from an MMR vaccine is less than one in a million. With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of reactions. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible.
It’s important to remember that – it’s much safer to get the vaccine than it is to get the disease or infection. For example, getting MMR vaccine is much safer than getting measles, mumps, or rubella disease. Most people who get MMR vaccine do not have any problems with it and there are no known risks to getting MMR vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. [7]
FACT:Vaccines protect everyone by building community or herd immunity. Germs can travel quickly through a community and make a lot of people sick. If enough people get sick, it can lead to an outbreak. But when enough people are vaccinated against a certain disease, the germs can’t travel as easily from person to person — and the entire community is less likely to get the disease.
That means even people who can’t get vaccinated will have some protection from getting sick. And if a person does get sick, there’s less chance of an outbreak because it’s harder for the disease to spread.
Community immunity protects everyone. But it’s especially important because some people can’t get vaccinated for certain diseases — such as people with some serious allergies and those with weakened or failing immune systems (like people who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, type 1 diabetes, or other health conditions). [8]
FACT:The risk of death from disease is much higher than the risk of complications or death from the vaccine. Modern vaccines are among the greatest public health achievements in history, preventing thousands of illnesses and deaths each year in the United States alone. However, as illness, disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases have decreased, concerns over vaccine safety have increased despite the reality that a person is far more likely to be seriously or fatally injured by a disease prevented by vaccines than by a vaccine itself. [9]
Sources: [1] Are infant immune systems overwhelmed by vaccines? [2] Too many vaccines? [3] Multiple vaccines and the immune system, [4] Vaccine safety (CDC), [5] Vaccines protect you, [6] Vaccine safety (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), [7] MMR VIS, [8] Vaccines protect your community, [9] Deaths following vaccination: What does the evidence show?
Vaccinating your children according to the recommended schedule is one of the best ways you can protect them from 14 harmful and potentially deadly diseases before their second birthday.
Children who don’t receive recommended vaccines are at risk of, one – getting the disease or illness. And two – having a severe case of the disease or illness.
You can’t predict or know in advance if an unvaccinated child will get a vaccine-preventable disease, nor can you predict or know how severe the illness will be or become.
Vaccines don’t just protect your child. Immunization is a shared responsibility. Families, health care professionals and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community – especially babies who are too young to be vaccinated themselves.
Most parents are vaccinating their children. Estimates from a CDC nationally representative childhood vaccine communications poll (April 2012 online poll) suggest that most people are vaccinating according to schedule. In fact, 88.3% of parents reported that they are vaccinating according to schedule or are intending to do so.
Most young parents in the U.S. have never seen the devastating effects that diseases like polio, measles or whooping cough (pertussis) can have on a family or community. It’s easy to think of these as diseases of the past. But the truth is they still exist.
Diseases like measles and rubella are only a plane ride away. Measles epidemics are occurring in Great Britain, and rubella cases have skyrocketed in Japan. Large outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough) have occurred in parts of the U.S. over the past few years.
For more information on how vaccines work: youtube.com
Vaccinating your children according to the recommended schedule is one of the best ways you can protect them from 14 harmful and potentially deadly diseases before their second birthday.
Children who don’t receive recommended vaccines are at risk of, one – getting the disease or illness. And two – having a severe case of the disease or illness.
You can’t predict or know in advance if an unvaccinated child will get a vaccine-preventable disease, nor can you predict or know how severe the illness will be or become.
Vaccines don’t just protect your child. Immunization is a shared responsibility. Families, health care professionals and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community – especially babies who are too young to be vaccinated themselves.
Most parents are vaccinating their children. Estimates from a CDC nationally representative childhood vaccine communications poll (April 2012 online poll) suggest that most people are vaccinating according to schedule. In fact, 88.3% of parents reported that they are vaccinating according to schedule or are intending to do so.
Most young parents in the U.S. have never seen the devastating effects that diseases like polio, measles or whooping cough (pertussis) can have on a family or community. It’s easy to think of these as diseases of the past. But the truth is they still exist.
Diseases like measles and rubella are only a plane ride away. Measles epidemics are occurring in Great Britain, and rubella cases have skyrocketed in Japan. Large outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough) have occurred in parts of the U.S. over the past few years.
For more information on how vaccines work: youtube.com
Parents agree that feeding and sleep schedules are important to help keep their children healthy. The same goes for childhood immunizations.
Vaccinating children on time is the best way to protect them against 14 serious and potentially deadly diseases before their second birthday.
“The recommended immunization schedule is designed to offer protection early in life,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General and Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “when babies are vulnerable and before it’s likely they will be exposed to diseases.”
Public health and medical experts base their vaccine recommendations on many factors. They study information about diseases and vaccines very carefully to decide which vaccines kids should get and when they should get them for best protection.
Although the number of vaccines a child needs in the first two years may seem like a lot, doctors know a great deal about the human immune system, and they know that a healthy baby’s immune system can handle getting all vaccines when they are recommended. Dr. Schuchat cautions against parents delaying vaccination. “There is no known benefit to delaying vaccination. In fact, it puts babies at risk of getting sick because they are left vulnerable to catch serious diseases during the time they are not protected by vaccines.”
When parents choose not to vaccinate or to follow a delayed schedule, children are left unprotected against diseases that still circulate in this country, like measles and whooping cough.
For example, preliminary data for 2012 show that more than 41,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the United States. During this time, 18 deaths have been reported—the majority of these deaths were in children younger than 3 months of age.
In 2012, 55 cases of measles were provisionally reported in the United States. These caused four different measles outbreaks in U.S. communities. Staying on track with the immunization schedule ensures that children have the best protection against diseases like these by age two.
Parents who are concerned about the number of shots given at one time can reduce the number given at a visit by using the flexibility built into the recommended immunization schedule. For example, the third dose of hepatitis B vaccine can be given at 6 through 18 months of age. Parents can work with their child’s health care professional to have their child get this dose at any time during that age range.
“I make sure my kids are vaccinated on time,” said Dr. Yabo Beysolow, medical officer, NCIRD and mother of three. “Getting children all the vaccines they need by age two is one of the best things parents can do to help keep their children safe and healthy.”
If you have questions about the childhood immunization schedule, talk with your child’s doctor or nurse. For more information about vaccines, go to cdc.gov.
Parents agree that feeding and sleep schedules are important to help keep their children healthy. The same goes for childhood immunizations.
Vaccinating children on time is the best way to protect them against 14 serious and potentially deadly diseases before their second birthday.
“The recommended immunization schedule is designed to offer protection early in life,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General and Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “when babies are vulnerable and before it’s likely they will be exposed to diseases.”
Public health and medical experts base their vaccine recommendations on many factors. They study information about diseases and vaccines very carefully to decide which vaccines kids should get and when they should get them for best protection.
Although the number of vaccines a child needs in the first two years may seem like a lot, doctors know a great deal about the human immune system, and they know that a healthy baby’s immune system can handle getting all vaccines when they are recommended. Dr. Schuchat cautions against parents delaying vaccination. “There is no known benefit to delaying vaccination. In fact, it puts babies at risk of getting sick because they are left vulnerable to catch serious diseases during the time they are not protected by vaccines.”
When parents choose not to vaccinate or to follow a delayed schedule, children are left unprotected against diseases that still circulate in this country, like measles and whooping cough.
For example, preliminary data for 2012 show that more than 41,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the United States. During this time, 18 deaths have been reported—the majority of these deaths were in children younger than 3 months of age.
In 2012, 55 cases of measles were provisionally reported in the United States. These caused four different measles outbreaks in U.S. communities. Staying on track with the immunization schedule ensures that children have the best protection against diseases like these by age two.
Parents who are concerned about the number of shots given at one time can reduce the number given at a visit by using the flexibility built into the recommended immunization schedule. For example, the third dose of hepatitis B vaccine can be given at 6 through 18 months of age. Parents can work with their child’s health care professional to have their child get this dose at any time during that age range.
“I make sure my kids are vaccinated on time,” said Dr. Yabo Beysolow, medical officer, NCIRD and mother of three. “Getting children all the vaccines they need by age two is one of the best things parents can do to help keep their children safe and healthy.”
If you have questions about the childhood immunization schedule, talk with your child’s doctor or nurse. For more information about vaccines, go to cdc.gov.
Health care professionals are parents’ most trusted source of information about vaccines for their children. They play a critical role in supporting parents in understanding and choosing vaccines.
Parents are encouraged to talk to their health care professionals about their vaccine-related questions and concerns.
Parents wanting more information about vaccines can learn more at CDC’s vaccine website for parents: cdc.gov
Families who need help paying for childhood vaccines should ask their health care provider about the Vaccines for Children program, which provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children who do not otherwise have access to immunization.
Health care professionals are parents’ most trusted source of information about vaccines for their children. They play a critical role in supporting parents in understanding and choosing vaccines.
Parents are encouraged to talk to their health care professionals about their vaccine-related questions and concerns.
Parents wanting more information about vaccines can learn more at CDC’s vaccine website for parents: cdc.gov
Families who need help paying for childhood vaccines should ask their health care provider about the Vaccines for Children program, which provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children who do not otherwise have access to immunization.
Whooping Cough Resurgence
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is often thought of as a disease of the past. While we no longer see the number of cases we did before whooping cough vaccines were available, it is a growing health concern.
The United States experienced a nearly 60-year record high number of cases in 2012, with preliminary data showing more than 41,000 reported cases and 18 deaths.
Whooping Cough Is Deadly for Babies
Whooping cough can be serious for anyone, but it is life-threatening in newborns and young babies.
Most of the deaths reported in 2012 were in babies younger than 3 months of age.
About half of babies who get whooping cough need treatment in the hospital.
The younger the baby is when he gets whooping cough, the more likely he will need to be treated in a hospital.
Priority: Preventing Infant Deaths through Vaccination
There are currently no whooping cough vaccines licensed or recommended for newborns at birth. For this reason, three vaccination strategies are used in combination with each other to provide the best protection possible to newborns and young babies:
Every Pregnancy Vaccination Recommendation
CDC recommends that pregnant women receive the whooping cough vaccine called Tdap during each pregnancy. By doing so, the mother’s body creates protective antibodies and passes some of them to her baby before birth. These antibodies give babies some short-term protection against whooping cough until they can begin building their own immunity through childhood vaccinations.
Antibody levels are highest about two weeks after getting the vaccine. The vaccine is recommended in the third trimester, preferably between the 27th and 36th week of pregnancy, so the mother gives her baby the most protection (antibodies).
The amount of whooping cough antibodies a person decreases over time. This is why women need a whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy so high levels of protective antibodies are transferred to each baby.
Cocooning Recommendation
Childhood Vaccine Recommendation
The whooping cough vaccine for children (2 months through 6 years) is called DTaP. Children need their whooping cough vaccine on time as it is the best way to prevent whooping cough during childhood. DTaP vaccines should be given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age to build up high levels of protection. Booster shots are needed at 15 through 18 months and at 4 through 6 years to maintain that protection.
Vaccine Safety and Side Effects
Vaccines, including whooping cough vaccines, are held to the highest standards of safety. Experts have studied the whooping cough vaccine for adolescents and adults (Tdap), and they have concluded that it is very safe for pregnant women and their babies. Results from many clinical trials showed that DTaP vaccines are very safe for infants and children. CDC continually monitors whooping cough vaccine safety.
While whooping cough vaccines (Tdap and DTaP) are safe, side effects can occur. The most common side effects are mild (redness, swelling, tenderness) and serious side effects are extremely rare.
Vaccine Effectiveness
Getting whooping cough or a whooping cough vaccine (as a child or an adult) does not provide lifetime protection. In general, DTaP vaccination is effective for 89 out of 100 children who receive it, and Tdap vaccination protects 65 out of 100 people who receive it. Protection from both whooping cough vaccines fades over time, but people who are vaccinated and get whooping cough later are typically protected against severe illness.
Protect Babies from Whooping Cough Infographic: cdc.gov
For more info about cocooning, visit immunize.org
Whooping Cough Resurgence
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is often thought of as a disease of the past. While we no longer see the number of cases we did before whooping cough vaccines were available, it is a growing health concern.
The United States experienced a nearly 60-year record high number of cases in 2012, with preliminary data showing more than 41,000 reported cases and 18 deaths.
Whooping Cough Is Deadly for Babies
Whooping cough can be serious for anyone, but it is life-threatening in newborns and young babies.
Most of the deaths reported in 2012 were in babies younger than 3 months of age.
About half of babies who get whooping cough need treatment in the hospital.
The younger the baby is when he gets whooping cough, the more likely he will need to be treated in a hospital.
Priority: Preventing Infant Deaths through Vaccination
There are currently no whooping cough vaccines licensed or recommended for newborns at birth. For this reason, three vaccination strategies are used in combination with each other to provide the best protection possible to newborns and young babies:
Every Pregnancy Vaccination Recommendation
CDC recommends that pregnant women receive the whooping cough vaccine called Tdap during each pregnancy. By doing so, the mother’s body creates protective antibodies and passes some of them to her baby before birth. These antibodies give babies some short-term protection against whooping cough until they can begin building their own immunity through childhood vaccinations.
Antibody levels are highest about two weeks after getting the vaccine. The vaccine is recommended in the third trimester, preferably between the 27th and 36th week of pregnancy, so the mother gives her baby the most protection (antibodies).
The amount of whooping cough antibodies a person decreases over time. This is why women need a whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy so high levels of protective antibodies are transferred to each baby.
Cocooning Recommendation
Childhood Vaccine Recommendation
The whooping cough vaccine for children (2 months through 6 years) is called DTaP. Children need their whooping cough vaccine on time as it is the best way to prevent whooping cough during childhood. DTaP vaccines should be given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age to build up high levels of protection. Booster shots are needed at 15 through 18 months and at 4 through 6 years to maintain that protection.
Vaccine Safety and Side Effects
Vaccines, including whooping cough vaccines, are held to the highest standards of safety. Experts have studied the whooping cough vaccine for adolescents and adults (Tdap), and they have concluded that it is very safe for pregnant women and their babies. Results from many clinical trials showed that DTaP vaccines are very safe for infants and children. CDC continually monitors whooping cough vaccine safety.
While whooping cough vaccines (Tdap and DTaP) are safe, side effects can occur. The most common side effects are mild (redness, swelling, tenderness) and serious side effects are extremely rare.
Vaccine Effectiveness
Getting whooping cough or a whooping cough vaccine (as a child or an adult) does not provide lifetime protection. In general, DTaP vaccination is effective for 89 out of 100 children who receive it, and Tdap vaccination protects 65 out of 100 people who receive it. Protection from both whooping cough vaccines fades over time, but people who are vaccinated and get whooping cough later are typically protected against severe illness.
Protect Babies from Whooping Cough Infographic: cdc.gov
For more info about cocooning, visit immunize.org
Following is key information about the vaccines that are recommended for babies from birth through age 2.
Hep B vaccine protects against hepatitis B.
All children should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and should have completed the vaccine series by 6 through 18 months of age.
RV vaccine protects against rotavirus.
All children should get their first dose of RV between 6 weeks and 14 weeks and 6 days of age.
DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria / tetanus / pertussis.
Children should get 5 doses of DTaP, one dose at each of the following ages: 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months and 4-6 years.
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Hib vaccine protects against haemophilis influenzae type b.
It is recommended for all children younger than 5 years old in the US, and it is usually given to infants starting at 2 months old.
PCV vaccine protects against pneumococcus.
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13 or Prevnar 13®, is currently recommended for all children younger than 5 years of age. Pneumovax® is 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPVSV23) that is currently recommended for use for children who are 2 years and older and at high risk for disease (e.g., sickle cell disease, HIV infection, or other immunocompromising conditions).
IPV vaccine protects against polio.
Children get 4 doses of IPV, at these ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and booster dose at 4-6 years.
Flu vaccine protects against influenza.
A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
MMR vaccine protects against measles / mumps / rubella.
Recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox.
Recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Hepatitis A vaccine protects against hepatitis A.
Recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Following is key information about the vaccines that are recommended for babies from birth through age 2.
Hep B vaccine protects against hepatitis B.
All children should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and should have completed the vaccine series by 6 through 18 months of age.
RV vaccine protects against rotavirus.
All children should get their first dose of RV between 6 weeks and 14 weeks and 6 days of age.
DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria / tetanus / pertussis.
Children should get 5 doses of DTaP, one dose at each of the following ages: 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months and 4-6 years.
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Hib vaccine protects against haemophilis influenzae type b.
It is recommended for all children younger than 5 years old in the US, and it is usually given to infants starting at 2 months old.
PCV vaccine protects against pneumococcus.
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13 or Prevnar 13®, is currently recommended for all children younger than 5 years of age. Pneumovax® is 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPVSV23) that is currently recommended for use for children who are 2 years and older and at high risk for disease (e.g., sickle cell disease, HIV infection, or other immunocompromising conditions).
IPV vaccine protects against polio.
Children get 4 doses of IPV, at these ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and booster dose at 4-6 years.
Flu vaccine protects against influenza.
A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
MMR vaccine protects against measles / mumps / rubella.
Recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox.
Recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Hepatitis A vaccine protects against hepatitis A.
Recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Even though you are keeping her safe from diseases, it’s hard to see your child cry when she gets her shots. But you can take some steps before, during and after a vaccine visit to ease the pain and stress of getting shots:
Learn more about childhood vaccines at cdc.gov or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
Even though you are keeping her safe from diseases, it’s hard to see your child cry when she gets her shots. But you can take some steps before, during and after a vaccine visit to ease the pain and stress of getting shots:
Learn more about childhood vaccines at cdc.gov or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
Resources for Parents
CDC: 2013 Immunization Schedules for Children, Adolescents and Adults
cdc.gov
CDC: Parent’s Guide to Childhood Immunizations
This guide can help parents and caregivers learn about the role vaccines play in helping keep children healthy.
cdc.gov
CDC: Parent-Friendly Vaccine Website
Immunization Schedules for children. Create a schedule for your child that will help you stay on track.
cdc.gov
CDC: Easy-to-Read Immunization Schedule Age 0-6 – English & Spanish
cdc.gov
CDC: Who Sets the Immunization Schedule?
Learn in words and pictures about the journey of your child’s vaccine, including how a vaccine is added to the US recommended schedule.
cdc.gov
CDC: Facts for Parents
cdc.gov
CDC: Vaccines Help Protect Travelers of All Ages
cdc.gov
CDC: Finding and Paying for Vaccines: Vaccines For Children (VFC) program
cdc.gov
World Health Organization: What are some of the myths – and facts – about vaccination?
who.int
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): Vaccine Education Center
chop.edu
American Academy of Pediatrics
aap.org
NIAM Toolkit: A Healthy Start – Babies from Birth to Age 6
Resources for Pregnant Women
nphic.org
CDC: Vaccines and Pregnancy – flyers, guidance, recommendations, videos
cdc.gov
Spanish Language Resources
CDC: Spanish Language Immunization Website
cdc.gov
Common questions about infant vaccinations
cdc.gov
Evaluating content on the web
cdc.gov
Brochure for parents: What if you don’t vaccinate your child?
immunize.org
Worldwide impact
unicefusa.org
American Academy of Pediatrics – Immunizations
healthychildren.org
Resources for Advocates and Educators
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): Vaccine Resources
chop.edu
ShotbyShot.org: Stories of Vaccine Preventable Diseases
A collection of stories from people who have been touched by vaccine-preventable diseases
shotbyshot.org
Every Child By Two (ECBT): Shot of Prevention Blog
News and Views on Vaccine
shotofprevention.com
PKIDS Online: Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases
pkids.org
Science-Based Resources
immunize.org
Resources for Health Care Professionals
CDC: Vaccines and Immunizations
cdc.gov
CDC: Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents
cdc.gov
Immunization Action Coalition: Need Help Responding to Vaccine Hesitant Parents?
immunize.org
American Academy of Pediatrics: Vaccine status website
aap.org
ACOG: Immunization Toolkit
immunizationforwomen.org
Policy statements – American Academy of Pediatrics
immunize.org
Resources for Parents
CDC: 2013 Immunization Schedules for Children, Adolescents and Adults
cdc.gov
CDC: Parent’s Guide to Childhood Immunizations
This guide can help parents and caregivers learn about the role vaccines play in helping keep children healthy.
cdc.gov
CDC: Parent-Friendly Vaccine Website
Immunization Schedules for children. Create a schedule for your child that will help you stay on track.
cdc.gov
CDC: Easy-to-Read Immunization Schedule Age 0-6 – English & Spanish
cdc.gov
CDC: Who Sets the Immunization Schedule?
Learn in words and pictures about the journey of your child’s vaccine, including how a vaccine is added to the US recommended schedule.
cdc.gov
CDC: Facts for Parents
cdc.gov
CDC: Vaccines Help Protect Travelers of All Ages
cdc.gov
CDC: Finding and Paying for Vaccines: Vaccines For Children (VFC) program
cdc.gov
World Health Organization: What are some of the myths – and facts – about vaccination?
who.int
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): Vaccine Education Center
chop.edu
American Academy of Pediatrics
aap.org
NIAM Toolkit: A Healthy Start – Babies from Birth to Age 6
Resources for Pregnant Women
nphic.org
CDC: Vaccines and Pregnancy – flyers, guidance, recommendations, videos
cdc.gov
Spanish Language Resources
CDC: Spanish Language Immunization Website
cdc.gov
Common questions about infant vaccinations
cdc.gov
Evaluating content on the web
cdc.gov
Brochure for parents: What if you don’t vaccinate your child?
immunize.org
Worldwide impact
unicefusa.org
American Academy of Pediatrics – Immunizations
healthychildren.org
Resources for Advocates and Educators
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): Vaccine Resources
chop.edu
ShotbyShot.org: Stories of Vaccine Preventable Diseases
A collection of stories from people who have been touched by vaccine-preventable diseases
shotbyshot.org
Every Child By Two (ECBT): Shot of Prevention Blog
News and Views on Vaccine
shotofprevention.com
PKIDS Online: Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases
pkids.org
Science-Based Resources
immunize.org
Resources for Health Care Professionals
CDC: Vaccines and Immunizations
cdc.gov
CDC: Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents
cdc.gov
Immunization Action Coalition: Need Help Responding to Vaccine Hesitant Parents?
immunize.org
American Academy of Pediatrics: Vaccine status website
aap.org
ACOG: Immunization Toolkit
immunizationforwomen.org
Policy statements – American Academy of Pediatrics
immunize.org