To Your Baby's Health A series of different immunizations are routinely given to children beginning soon after birth. This is necessary because children under the age of two are particularly susceptible to disease because their young immune systems have not had adequate time to develop the ability to fight off infection. Vaccines help to keep children and adults healthy by working to control disease.
Vaccines have been developed for the prevention of several diseases, including the following group that are commonly administered to children: Diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB), Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German Measles), Pertussis, Polio, Tetanus and Varicella.
Pediatricians are usually happy to discuss the preferred vaccination schedule used by their practice and will provide you with written information regarding the specific vaccinations administered to your baby.
While the associated risks of taking a particular vaccine varies according to the immunization type, all of the vaccines routinely given to children are widely accepted as safe. Severe reactions to vaccines can sometimes occur although the incidence of such reactions is quite remote. Parents can feel confident that the statistical likelihood of obtaining the desired benefit of disease reduction vastly outweighs the chances of such a reaction.
More commonly vaccines may produce a mild reaction. Symptoms might include a slight fever, rash, redness or tenderness in the area where the shot was administered. Most pediatricians will suggest that you remain on the look out for any such symptoms and will offer suggestions to alleviate any discomfort your baby might temporarily
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