Learn about the vaccines

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways of preventing common infections that are often very serious and sometimes deadly. Although they remain somewhat controversial among some people, they are one of the most researched medical treatments and the research data overwhelmingly shows that they are safe and effective. They are much more thoroughly researched than many common over-the-counter medications and chemicals we use every day in shampoos, deodorant, makeup, processed foods, and other common parts of our daily lives. As with everything in life, we must always compare the risks and benefits of any decision we make. Here is a brief overview of the recommended childhood vaccines. More information on each vaccine is available on our parenting/child health website.

DTaP: diphtheria, tetanus, & pertussis (whooping cough)

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are bacterial diseases that are still present and often serious or deadly. Diphtheria and pertussis spread easily between infected people and things they have come in contact with. Tetanus is present in soil and is always a risk. Infants are at high risk of these diseases; pertussis is especially common and extremely serious in infants. There have been recent pertussis outbreaks, reaching epidemic levels in some parts of the United States. There are no known risks of this vaccine. The benefits clearly outweigh the risks; we highly recommended this vaccine. More information can be found here .

Polio (IPV)

Polio is a serious or deadly viral disease that spreads quickly between infected children and adults. It commonly causes paralysis that is permanent. It was once a dreaded disease in the US, causing epidemics among children every summer. It is still present in other parts of world and could spread to the United States. There are no known risks of vaccine. The benefits clearly outweigh the risks; we highly recommended this vaccine. Learn more about this vaccine.

Haemophilus influenza type B (HIB)

This is a once common, serious and often deadly bacterial disease in infants and toddlers. It is spread from person to person. It commonly causes bacterial meningitis in young children, as well as other very serious infections. The vaccine is highly effective with no known risks. We highly recommended this vaccine. See our parenting website for more information about this vaccine. More information can be found here.

Pneumococcal (PCV13)

Pneumoccoccal disease is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria and is an extremely common infection in children and adults; it is by far the most common cause of ear infections, sinus infections, and pneumonia. In infants and toddlers, it is also a common cause of sepsis and meningitis and can be fatal or cause permanent disability. It is spread from person to person. The vaccine is very effective at preventing serious, invasive disease and also reduces the number and severity of ear infections. There are no known risks of this vaccine; it is highly recommended. Learn more.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that causes liver disease, as do other hepatitis viruses, Hepatitis B can also cause liver failure and death, and can cause liver cancer years after the initial infection. It is spread from person to person through body fluids like saliva and blood; it is also spread sexually. In children, the primary risk is in newborns born to mothers with disease. It spreads easily during birth, and newborns seem to be especially prone to becoming infected. Infants can also catch it from close contact with infected individuals. We highly recommend this vaccine, though some parents may choose to postpone the first dose which is usually given in the hospital in the first 24 hours of life, if the parents know that they don’t have or are immune to hepatitis B infection. Learn more on our parenting website.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is an extremely common disease in infants and toddlers that causes vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Before the vaccine, almost every child caught it by the age of three. It is a leading cause of death in children overseas; in this country it hospitalized over 50,000 children a year before the vaccine was developed. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing the disease; there is a small risk of intestinal obstruction from the vaccine. However, the disease causes the same risk of obstruction as well. We recommend this vaccine. More information is available here.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

These are three common viral diseases in children; measles is often severe and can fatal or cause serious, permanent disability. Mumps can also cause serious disability, especially if caught at older ages. Rubella is a rather mild disease in children; however, it causes birth defects or fetal death if caught by a pregnant woman. Measles and mumps are still occurring, with outbreaks wherever immunization rates fall. There have been several large outbreaks of measles in the past few years. There are no known risks from the vaccine. We highly recommended this vaccine for all children. More information is available on our parenting website.

Varicella (Chickenpox)

Chickenpox is a classic childhood disease that is now quite rare. Before the vaccine, most children caught chickenpox; it spreads very easily between infected people. It is a very uncomfortable disease that sometimes causes serious or fatal complications, especially in older children and adults. There are no known risks of vaccine. We recommended this vaccine. See our parenting website for more information,

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a virus that spreads from infected people and things they come in contact with, including food products. It is highly contagious. The disease is usually mild in children and can be more serious in adults. The vaccine is very effective and there are no known risks of vaccine. It is now recommended routinely in all toddlers. We recommended this vaccine, and that older children who have not vaccinated get the vaccine before any travel. Learn more at our parenting website.

Influenza

The flu is very common and affects children and adults of all ages every winter. It can be serious or fatal, especially in young infants and the elderly. The virus mutates every year, and some years the virus is especially dangerous and deadly in children or in healthy young adults. The vaccines are effective and have few known risks. The flu vaccine is now recommended in all children 6 months and older, and in all adults. It is especially important in high-risk children, such as those with asthma. We recommended this vaccine. See our parenting website for more information.

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)

This is the same vaccine as the DTaP vaccine above, with slightly different amounts of antigen. This replaces one dose of the adult tetanus shot that we all need every 10 years to keep from getting tetanus. Pertussis is especially common among teenagers and young adults, who can transmit the disease to infants. Tetanus lives in soil and is a constant threat. The vaccine has no known risks. Highly recommended.

Meningococcal ACWY

Meningococcus is an extremely aggressive bacteria that strikes quickly and without warning and is usually extremely serious or fatal even with antibiotic treatment. The vaccine is effective and has no known risks. We highly recommend it.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Common virus in sexually active teens and young adults, causes genital warts and can cause cervical cancer in women later in life. Vaccine effective at preventing infection in sexually active women. Recommended considering it in girls who are or who may become sexually active.