TO Common Questions About Immunization And Childhood Diseases What Are Immunizations? Immunizations, also called vaccinations or shots, are a form of medicine made to protect children against many diseases that can be prevented. These medicines are given either by injection (shot) or by mouth (oral). If your child gets one of these diseases, it can lead to a severe illness which can cripple or even cause the death of your child . Why Immunize Your Child? Immunizing your child will protect her from these harmful diseases: hepatitis B diphtheria tetanus (lockjaw) A pertussis (whooping cough) hib disease polio measles A mumps rubella (German measles) varicella zoster (chickenpox) rotavirus (a cause of severe diarrhea) These diseases can result in breathing problems, liver, lung and brain damage, heart problems, blindness, deafness, cancer and even death. All of these diseases, except tetanus, are spread from person to person. Pre-schools, day care centers and all grade, middle and high schools, college and trade scliools require students to be up-to-date with their vaccinations. When To Immunize? Children can begin getting 'lGlccinatiolJs at bir.tn. Children will need several vaccinations during their first 12-18 months of life and at different times for the rest of their lives. Where Can My Child Be Immunized? Call your doctor's office or local health care clinic to find out the time and place to get your child immunized. AAAA Are Immunizations Safe? No vaccine is fully without risk. The risk of getting a disease by not being vaccinated is far greater than the chance of problems from the vaccine itself. It is impor- tant to remember that all vaccines are tested many times to ensure they are safe for your child. Are There Any Common Side Effects To Immunizations? Yes, common side effects may include a slight fever or redness, tenderness and swell ing at the site of vaccination for a day or two . These side effects are mild and may not appear w ith each immuniza tion. You should discuss any health concerns you may I have w ith your doctor or health care clinic. Can My Child Be Immunized Even If He Is Sick? A minor illness should not prevent your child from being immunized . Consult with your doctor or health care clinic. What If My Child Misses Some of Her Immunizations? You should never skip a scheduled immunization visit for your child . But if you do miss an immunization, your doctor or health care clin ic can put your child on a "catch-up" schedule. Always keep an up-to-date immunization record for your child. Ask your doctor or health care clinic to review your child IS record at each visit and to tell you when the next vacc ination is needed. DPH98.75H Form 3116 (Rev. 1-99) HowTo Keep On Begin_ on time by starting your Track!!! child's immuniza- tions at birth or by ~ 1 month of Always age . Never miss a chance to get your child immunized . take your child's immuniza tion record with you when you visit your Keep a :e~o~d of y?ur doctor or health ( care clinic. child s rrnmuruzctions. Have your doctor or nurse review and update it after each Mark immunization . the date that your child's vaccination is due and stay on schedule. . I Be careful to review all vaccine facts that you Talk with your doctor or nurse about each vaccine . Don't be afraid to ask questions. receive before your child is immu- nized . How To Comfort Your Child . Hold Your Stay Calm- Your child can Child - Being close to sense if you are you will comfort nervous or upset. your child . Talk Quietly - Preoccupy Speak in a Your Child- soothing quiet voice to comfort your child . Try to distract your child with other things such as singing or Bring a Toy- playing a game. A toy or special item from home can help calm your child. Allow Your Child To Cry - It's a normal Be Truthful - Don't tell your child it won't hurt. response. When To Immunize Vaccines are listed by the age and the age range that they are to be given . Hep-B (Hepatitis B) Each frog equels one dose. DTaP/Td tDiphtheria, etanus and Pertussis) Hib (H .lnfluenzae type B) IPV ~Iniection) /0 V (Oral) (Polio) MMR JMeasles, umps and RUbella) Varicella (Chickenpox) Rotavirus Birth 1 Month Birth-2 months' 1-4 months' 2 Months .... 4 Months 6 Months 15-18 Months A .... .... 15-18 months' ,4 .... 12-15 months' .... (IPV) Yo (IPV) ' ,3 6-18 m onths .... 12-15 months' ~ 12-18 months,,6 11-12 Years 13-16 Years : '" : All teens need 3 This is a Td shot. hepatitis B shots if It does not contain. they haven't the pertussis already received vaccines them. (1) This is the age range in which the vaccine should be given . (2) Depend- ing on the brand of Hib vaccine used for the first and second doses, a dose at 6 months of age mayor may not be needed. (3) There are two types of polio vaccines. One is given by shot (IPVj, and the other by mouth roPY) . The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the MP, and the MFP, recommend that the IPY be given for the first and second doses. The recommended !ype of vaccine given for the third and fourth doses depends upon your child s medical situation. Based on the type of vaccine given, your child should receive the third dose between 6 and 18 months of age, and the "l( Children 11-12 Children who are year s of age 12 months through who have not 16 years of age received a (who have not had second MMR chickenpox) need should do so. to be voccinoted ." fourth dose between 4 and 6 years of age . (4) May be given as early as 12 months of age if six months have passed since the last dose. (5) Td should be given at 11-12years of age if five years have passed since the last dose. Future doses should be given every 10 years. (6) Children who are 12 months through 12 years of age will need to be vaccinated with one dose. Suscepti ble children 13 years and older need 2 doses. (7) This vaccine series should be started before your child is 7 months of age and be completed before their first birthday. This is a new vaccine, not all health care provide rs may offer it. Check with yourdoctoror health care clinicwithany questions about yourimmunization schedule. This schedule was adapted from the recommendedchildhood immunization schedule, approved by The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (AClP), The AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics (AAP), and The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). (January-December 1999) Eleven Reasons epatitis B causes liver damage, cancer To or even death. You also can pass the Immunize' disease on to others even though you may iphtheria can have no symptoms. -_......cause severe sickness of the nose and throat. Tetanus (lockjaw) results w hen an op'en wound becomes infected with tetanus germs, causing muscles to go into spasm. Pertu (whooping cough) causes severe cough ing spells that can cause trouble with breathing, eating and dr inking. It also can lead to pneumonia, seizures or coma . Mump causes painful swelling of your cheeks and jaws . Problems include swelling of the brain or spinal cord membrane and possible deafness. H. n- zae type b causes chills, fever, cough , headache and muscle aches. It can lead to bacterial meningitis (swelling of the brain or spinal cord membrane) . Polio causes nerve damage and can lead to muscle weakness . It can cause total loss of use of your arms, legs and lungs. M causes high fever and red spots. Prob- lems may include middle ear infect ions, swelling of the brain and pneumonia . a i a oster (chickenpox) causes blisters and itching , and can result in problems such as Rul)e a (German measles) causes pneumonia and infected skin blisters or death. swollen glands and a red rash. In a pregnant woman, it can cause damage to her unborn baby. Rotavirus Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children in the United States. Virtually all children have one or more rotavirus infections in the first 5 years of life . Each year rotavirus is responsible for approximately 30- 50% of all hospitalizations for diar- rhea in children under 5 years of age . * Children wi th w eakened immune systems or chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes or people living w ith someone wh o has these problem s need to be up-to-dote on all of their immunizations. C hildren wi th these health problem s should al so receive a n influenza vaccine each yea r and a pneumococcal disease vaccine.