by Robbie Couch
Vaccines save lives.
April 24-30 marks the World Health Organization's World Immunization Week, which focuses on global efforts to protect children from deadly but preventable diseases, such as measles.
As the infographic below created by UNICEF points out, if all children globally were immunized today, about 25 million lives would be saved by 2020. Vaccines also cost little, and would save billions of dollars in treatment expenses for preventable diseases down the road.
Hepatitis B
Your newborn should
get this shot even before leaving the hospital, and receive another dose at one
to two months and a third at six to 18 months. The vaccine protects against an
incurable, liver-infecting virus, hepatitis B, which can be passed to a baby during
childbirth if the mother is infected.
This virus spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids (sharing toothbrushes and utensils can put you at risk).
This virus spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids (sharing toothbrushes and utensils can put you at risk).
Soreness at the site of the shot, or a slight fever, is the most common side effect, according to Gabrielle Gold-von Simson, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York.
DTaP
The DTaP vaccine
protects against diphtheria (a germ that can form a gray or black film in the
throat), tetanus (an infection that can cause muscle spasms so strong they can
break bones), and pertussis (a highly contagious disease that causes a severe,
uncontrollable cough, known as whooping cough).
Five vaccine doses are
given to children at two months, four months, six months, 15 to 18 months and
four to six years. (And boosters at age 11 or 12 and then every 10 years.)
DTaP may be combined with other vaccinations to reduce the number of shots needed. "Now, it's DTaP with hepatitis B and the polio vaccine.
DTaP may be combined with other vaccinations to reduce the number of shots needed. "Now, it's DTaP with hepatitis B and the polio vaccine.
MMR
This combo shot
protects against three viruses: measles (which causes high fever and a
body-wide rash); mumps (which causes face pain, swelling of the salivary
glands, and sometimes scrotal swelling in boys); and rubella or German measles
(which can cause birth defects if the infection occurs during pregnancy).
The first shot is given at 12 to 15 months of age and once again between the ages of four and
The first shot is given at 12 to 15 months of age and once again between the ages of four and
six.
MMR is sometimes combined with the chickenpox vaccine into one shot (brand name ProQuad). "All these different preparations are designed to reduce the amount of shots the pediatrician has to give," says Dr. Gold-von Simson.
MMR is sometimes combined with the chickenpox vaccine into one shot (brand name ProQuad). "All these different preparations are designed to reduce the amount of shots the pediatrician has to give," says Dr. Gold-von Simson.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox, a highly
contagious rash that many people remember from childhood, is caused by the
varicella virus. A varicella vaccine was first licensed in 1995 and now spares
future generations this itchy misery.
Chickenpox infections can be especially dangerous in adults who don't have immunity from the vaccine or haven't had it in childhood, and can also lead to shingles, an extremely
Chickenpox infections can be especially dangerous in adults who don't have immunity from the vaccine or haven't had it in childhood, and can also lead to shingles, an extremely
painful blistering
rash.
The shot is given to children at 12 to 15 months and again between four and six years. The vaccine can cause soreness at the site of the shot, fever, and, in some cases, a mild rash.
The shot is given to children at 12 to 15 months and again between four and six years. The vaccine can cause soreness at the site of the shot, fever, and, in some cases, a mild rash.
Haemophilus Influenza
Type B (Hib)
"Haemophilus
influenza type b is the bacterium that causes meningitis," says Dr.
Gold-von Simson. Meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the
brain and spinal cord, is particularly dangerous for kids under the age of
five.
Hib vaccines are generally given at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age. Depending on the vaccine used, the six-month shot may not be needed.
Hib vaccines are generally given at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age. Depending on the vaccine used, the six-month shot may not be needed.
Fever, swelling, and redness at the site of the shot are potential side effects.
Polio (IPV)
Polio vaccine is
"such a success," says Dr. Gold-von Simson. "Because of the
vaccine, there are no more cases (of polio)."
The virus hasn't been
eradicated worldwide, so kids still get the IPV, or inactivated polio vaccine,
which is a shot containing killed virus.
Polio is bad news, and can cause paralysis and
Polio is bad news, and can cause paralysis and
even death. Children
are given the IPV at two months, four months, between six to 18 months, and
then again between the ages of four and six years.
Pneumococcal Conjugate
(PCV)
This vaccine, known as
PCV13 (brand name Prevnar), protects against 13 types of Streptococcus
pneumoniae, which are bacteria that can cause all sorts of mayhem, including
meningitis, pneumonia, ear infections, blood infections, and even death.
A total of four shots are given to kids (at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age) to protect them against the germs, known collectively as
A total of four shots are given to kids (at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age) to protect them against the germs, known collectively as
pneumococcal
bacteria.
The most common side effects of the vaccine include drowsiness, swelling at the site of the shot, mild fever, and irritability.
The most common side effects of the vaccine include drowsiness, swelling at the site of the shot, mild fever, and irritability.
Influenza (flu)
Flu vaccinations are
given each year starting in the fall. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends them for kids ages six months or older, although they
aren't required for school attendance. (Connecticut and New Jersey require the
vaccine for attending child-care centers and preschool.)
Common side effects from the vaccine include soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the
Common side effects from the vaccine include soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the
shot. Fever and aches
may occur too.
"If you have an egg allergy, you shouldn't have the influenza vaccine," says Dr. Gold-von Simson.
"If you have an egg allergy, you shouldn't have the influenza vaccine," says Dr. Gold-von Simson.
Rotavirus (RV)
The rotavirus vaccine
(RV) (brand names RotaTeq, Rotarix) is given to children at two and four months
of age. (RotaTeq is also given at six months.) The vaccine protects against a
virus that is the most common cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in young
kids worldwide. About 55,000 children in the U.S. were hospitalized each year
due to rotavirus before the vaccine was licensed in 2006.
It is not required for
school attendance.
The vaccine is in liquid form and given by mouth to babies. It may make them a bit more irritable and can also cause mild diarrhea or vomiting.
The vaccine is in liquid form and given by mouth to babies. It may make them a bit more irritable and can also cause mild diarrhea or vomiting.
Hepatitis A
Kids can catch
hepatitis A from sharing food or drinks or by putting contaminated food or
objects in their mouths. It's a viral infection that affects the liver, and can
cause a number of symptoms, including fever, tiredness, jaundice, and loss of
appetite.
Children ages 12 through 23 months generally get two doses of the Hep A vaccine, with a minimum interval of six months between shots.
Children ages 12 through 23 months generally get two doses of the Hep A vaccine, with a minimum interval of six months between shots.
Some states require
the vaccine for school attendance.
Soreness where the shot was given, headache, and loss of appetite are the most common side effects of the vaccine.
Soreness where the shot was given, headache, and loss of appetite are the most common side effects of the vaccine.
Meningococcal
Conjugate (MCV4)
This vaccine, known as
MCV4 (brand name Menactra), protects against meningococcal bacteria, which can
infect the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. MCV4 is recommended
for kids at 11 or 12 years of age, and anyone between ages two and 55 who is at
increased risk of infection (people with certain health conditions, military
recruits).
Teens starting college should be vaccinated with MCV4 before going to school if they didn't previously get the shot. (Freshman living in dorms are at increased risk of infection.)
A little pain at the site of the shot is the most common side effect.
Human Papillomavirus
(HPV)
Human papillomavirus
(HPV) vaccine (brand names Gardasil, Cervarix) is given in three doses over a
six-month period, and is approved for girls between ages nine and 26.
While there are over a hundred types of HPV, this vaccine protects against two sexually transmitted types that are the most common causes of cervical cancer. Gardasil also protects against two types that cause genital
While there are over a hundred types of HPV, this vaccine protects against two sexually transmitted types that are the most common causes of cervical cancer. Gardasil also protects against two types that cause genital
warts and is approved
for boys between nine and 26 as well.
The vaccine works only if given before an infection, so doctors recommend it for kids well before they could become sexually active. Although most states don't require HPV vaccination, many are considering mandating it for preteen girls.
The vaccine works only if given before an infection, so doctors recommend it for kids well before they could become sexually active. Although most states don't require HPV vaccination, many are considering mandating it for preteen girls.
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