More About Vaccines


  1. Children start receiving vaccines at infancy. There are vaccines for infants and children from birth through age six and some for preteens and teens ages 7 through 18 and also vaccines for adults.
  2. Young children are at increased risk for infectious diseases because their immune systems have not yet built up the necessary defenses to fight serious infections and diseases. As a result, diseases like whooping cough or pneumococcal disease can be very serious — and even deadly — for infants and young children. Vaccinations start early in life to protect children before they are exposed to these diseases.
  3. Children — and adults, too — need more than 1 dose of some vaccines. That’s because it can take more than 1 dose to build enough immunity against a disease. A vaccine’s protection can also fade over time.
  4. In many cases, kids can get combination vaccines — or vaccines that protect them from more than 1 disease. This means fewer vaccines for them and fewer trips to the doctor for you.
  5. Experts don’t recommend spreading out or delaying your child’s vaccines. There’s no benefit to spreading out vaccinations — and following the recommended schedule protects infants and children by providing immunity early in life. If your child misses vaccines or gets them late, they’ll be at risk for serious diseases that are preventable.
  6. It's important to ask your child’s pediatrician about vaccinating your child when they're sick. Children can usually get vaccines when they have a mild illness — like a cold, low fever, ear infection, or diarrhea (watery poop).

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