Our bodies are designed to protect us from diseases. When someone is exposed to an illness, the immune system actually learns from the experience. The next time it is exposed to the same illness, the body often recognizes the culprit and sets out to destroy it. Immunization exposes people to a very small, very safe amount of the most important diseases they are likely to encounter at some point in their lives. This mild exposure helps their immune systems recognize and attack the disease efficiently. If people are exposed to the full-blown diseases later in life, they will either not become infected or have much less serious infections. This is a natural way to deal with infectious diseases. Throughout human history, infectious diseases have caused measureless misery and death. This rampage was unchecked until the twentieth century, when immunization was introduced on a wide scale. This led to the global eradication of smallpox, the elimination of polio from the Americas, and has almost eliminated tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, and the horrible congenital rubella syndrome. Immunization has greatly reduced the occurrence of measles, pertussis, and meningitis. Millions of deaths and other tragedies have been prevented. Four different types of vaccines are currently available. - Attenuated (weakened) live virus is used in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. These vaccines last longer than other vaccines, but may cause serious infections in people with compromised immune systems.
- Killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria used in some vaccines. For example, the influenza vaccine uses killed virus. These vaccines are safe, even in people with compromised immune systems.
- Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin produced by the bacterium or virus. For example, the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines are actually toxoids.
- Biosynthetic vaccines contain synthetic "man-made" substances which appear to be antigens to the immune system. For example, the Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) conjugate vaccine is a biosynthetic vaccine.
IMMUNIZING CHILDREN Babies get so many shots these days! Many parents are concerned that the sheer number of vaccines might overwhelm, weaken, or use up a baby's immature immune system. But a baby's immune system is built to make antibodies to as many as 10,000 foreign proteins. If a baby were to receive all 11 available vaccines at once, this would involve only a tiny fraction of the immune system. MERCURY A small amount of mercury (called thimerosal) is a common preservative in multi-dose vaccines. Despite concerns, thimerosal-containing vaccines have NOT been shown to cause autism or ADHD. Nevertheless, if you have concerns about mercury, all of the routine vaccines are also available without added thimerosal. IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE The recommended schedule of immunizations is updated at least every 12 months by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Consult your primary health care provider about specific immunizations for you or your child. The current recommendations are available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, www.cdc.gov/nip. At every doctor visit, ask about the next recommended immunizations. TIPS FOR PARENTS Immunizations must be given as an injection (shot). The following tips can help make the experience easier for your child: - Tell older children that the shot is needed to keep them safe and healthy. Knowing what to expect ahead of time may reassure the child.
- Explain to the child that it is OK to cry, but suggest that the child try to be brave. Explain that you do not like injections either, but you try to be brave, too. Praise the child after the injection is over, whether or not he or she cries.
- Distract the child at the moment of the injection. For example, have the child look away (perhaps at a picture on the wall), have them count or say their "ABCs" or tell them something funny at the time of the injection.
- Try to be calm. The child will notice if you cringe before the shot!
- Plan something fun to do afterward. A trip to the park or playground, eating out, playing with the child, or other entertainment after the shot can make the next immunization less fearful.
IMMUNIZATIONS FOR ADULTS Immunizations are not only for children. Each year the CDC posts recommended adult immunizations on their website. Go there to learn about tetanus booster shots, the flu shot, hepatitis A and B vaccines, the pneumococcal vaccine, MMR, and immunizations for chickenpox and meningitis. TRAVELLERS The CDC website (www.cdc.gov) provides detailed information for travelers on immunizations and other precautions based on your destination. Many immunizations should be obtained at least a month before travel. Remember to take your immunization records with you when you travel internationally. Some countries require this documentation. See also:
Immunization - diptheria
Immunization - pertussis
Immunization - polio
Immunization - tetanus
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