When it comes to being a parent, you would do anything to keep your child healthy and safe. From seatbelts to sunscreen, you want to make sure your child is protected. Another easy way to keep your kid healthy is with routine vaccinations.
Vaccines are incredibly important. Science experts and doctors place so much importance on vaccines because they help protect us against preventable diseases like tetanus, HPV, polio, measles, meningitis and whooping cough.
Below we explain why vaccines are so crucial for kids’ health and the top five benefits of following the recommended childhood immunization schedule.
#1: Vaccinating and staying on schedule protects your child from preventable illnesses
When you get sick, your body builds natural immunity to better fight that illness in the future. But babies are born with fragile immune systems and very few natural immunities to diseases, so they’re more susceptible to illness.
Vaccinations help train your child’s immune system to recognize and fight germs, strengthen natural defenses and give them their best chance at staying healthy as they grow.
That’s why vaccinations start so soon after birth. Vaccines introduce small, harmless pieces of a germ (antigens) to the body. This causes the immune system to produce antibodies and build immunity without your child having to get sick.
The spacing and timing of vaccines is important because many vaccines require multiple doses that must be spread out over a number of months or years. The recommended schedule is backed by scientific research and is set to work with a child’s immune system at specific ages and times. Vaccines not only prevent disease, they save lives.
While some parents wonder if the number of vaccines and doses kids receive can ever be too much for their bodies to handle, the short answer is: No. Extensive research has been done to ensure the safety of vaccines for young immune systems. Kids are exposed to germs (and their antigens) every day. The amount of antigens that they’re exposed to by getting a vaccine is just a tiny fraction of what they encounter daily.
#2: Vaccines can protect your child for life
It depends on the vaccine, but with most, protection can last for years – and even be lifelong. Even if protection wears off over the years, your child will be protected when their immune system is at its most vulnerable, especially if they stay up to date on their vaccinations during childhood and adolescence.
#3: Getting your child vaccinated helps protect others
Vaccinations not only help you and your child, but they also help protect the health of your community – especially those who can’t be vaccinated, like children who are too young, older adults or those who can’t for medical reasons.
#4: Keeping your child up to date on vaccines can save you money
When kids get sick, parents often have to dedicate time to looking after them. This may mean time away from work, which can mean a loss of income. And that’s before the additional cost of treatment if they need it. In contrast, not only is vaccination safe, but it’s also usually covered by insurance.
#5: Staying on the vaccine schedule can be a requirement for school or sports
Oftentimes, daycares, schools and sports teams require proof of immunizations in order for your child to participate, so keeping up with their shots can help make sure they don’t miss out. The best way to ensure they’re ready to head back to the classroom or onto the field is by taking them to a back-to-school physical or scheduling a separate immunization-only appointment.
How the HealthPartners childhood immunization schedule is created
HealthPartners creates its childhood immunization schedule using the latest scientific evidence on vaccine safety and effectiveness. In alignment with state health departments, we follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), organizations widely recognized for their expertise in children’s health.
Through this commitment to evidence based medicine, HealthPartners ensures a childhood immunization schedule that reflects the most current and trusted guidance to help protect your child from preventable illnesses and diseases.
Delaying or spacing out a vaccination schedule for your child
Some parents wonder whether there are benefits to spacing out vaccines, or if following an alternative vaccination schedule is an option. Unfortunately, there isn’t any scientific basis for alternative or delayed vaccine schedules. But more importantly, delaying vaccines means kids are more vulnerable for extended periods of time.
Parents often ask if there are any reasons to not vaccinate their child or to delay vaccination, and the answer is: Yes. There are times when some children should not get certain vaccines, or they should wait.
For example, if your child has any severe, life-threatening allergy or if they’ve had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of certain vaccines, your child’s doctor may recommend not getting or delaying a specific vaccination. Or if your child is moderately or severely ill, your child’s doctor will likely advise you to wait on vaccinations until they recover.
It’s also important to know that every vaccine has its own guidelines on when to forgo or delay a vaccination. So, if you have questions about whether your child should or shouldn’t have specific vaccines, speak to your doctor to determine what’s best.
Keep your child healthy and up to date on their vaccines
Vaccines are the most effective tool we have for preventing certain diseases – and vaccination schedules help make sure kids are protected at the right ages and right times. If you have any questions about vaccinating your child, talk to their doctor. They can talk with you about your child’s medical and immunization history, give you more information on specific vaccines and why they’re recommended, listen to any concerns and answer any questions you may have.
If your child is due for their next round of shots or you need to get them caught up, make an appointment at your local HealthPartners or Park Nicollet clinic.