The Importance of Immunizations
Jason Bruce, M.D. , Boys Town Pediatrics
We know vaccines are safe. They have been extensively studied. We know it's the best thing for our children and they are the best way to prevent these deadly childhood illnesses. The majority of them have been more or less eradicated though we are starting to see some of them return.
When should your child be vaccinated?
We recommend the vaccination schedule that is recommended by the CDC and by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The average childhood vaccinations, you get your first Hepatitis B in the hospital and then the others range from two months to eighteen months with your booster vaccines at four years of age.
Are there any risks or side effects with vaccines?
When they get their shots they are going to cry. It's a poke and the poke hurts. We all have gotten shots and you feel a pinch while you get it. Generally later on in the day you can have some elevation in temperature or some fever. You can have some soreness of the legs and in general we are just going to manage that with some Tylenol.
The side effects are minimal when you compare them to the number of vaccines that are given and we're very upfront and want to discuss that with you. When you look at the risk of some of these diseases for children, including death, we think that the risks of these small side effects verses the benefits they provide your children are minimal.
If you have any questions about vaccines or schedules of course feel free to discuss that with your pediatrician and we want to talk to you about your concerns.
