The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed a recommended vaccination schedule for infants, with the majority of vaccines scheduled when the child is six to 18 months old. Many parents are justifiably concerned about exposing very young children to vaccinations at such an early age. Before making a decision on vaccinations for your child, it's important to weigh both the benefits and risks to ensure you are making an informed decision.
Disease Prevention
The main advantage of vaccinating a child still in the infant stage is preventing the child from contracting potentially serious and even fatal diseases. For example, the CDC recommends that the rotavirus vaccine be administered to an infant as young as two months. Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea in infants and can dehydrate them to the point of hospitalization. Other diseases that are prevented by vaccines include polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella. For a more detailed look at what ages you should vaccinate your child for disease prevention, see the CDC immunization schedule in the Resources section of this article.
Disease Spread
Not only are vaccines advantageous in stopping your child from contracting disease, they also prevent your child from becoming a host for contagious diseases, which helps stop the spread of disease through families and communities. For example, mumps are highly contagious and spread through infected saliva droplets from the nose and mouth from child to child and child to adult, states the Mayo Clinic. The varicella virus, more commonly known as chicken pox, is also highly contagious but partially preventable through vaccine. By vaccinating your child, you ensure both the health of your child and others with whom they come into contact.
Future Disability
Some vaccines help prevent diseases that can possibly leave your child permanently disabled. For example, the vaccination for pertussis, or whooping cough, helps protect your child against developing the disease. Whooping cough can cause pneumonia and seizures in infants, which can lead to serious brain damage, affecting the rest of the child's life, states the Illinois Department of Public Health website. Polio, mumps and hepatitis can also cause permanent damage to your child.
Mild Side Effects
Mild side effects are on common risk of multiple vaccinations. In fact they happen in up to one child out of four with most childhood vaccines, advises the Department of Health and Human Services website. However, the effects are typically short, only lasting a few days. Common mild side effects include fever, redness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site.
Serious Side Effects
A serious risk of multiple vaccinations during infancy is the increased risk for severe allergic reaction or other serious side effects. With the infant being new to life, the child has not interacted with the environment enough to show exactly what her allergies may be. As such, a serious allergic reaction to a vaccination is a possibility, which in some cases can be fatal if left untreated. However, the reaction is instant, and vaccination staff are trained to deal with the situation. Other serious but rare side effects may include vomiting, seizure, high fever and diarrhea.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Mumps
- Illinois Department of Public Health: Vaccine Preventable Childhood Diseases
- U.S. News & World Report: No Benefit Seen in Delaying Infant Vaccinations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Your Baby's First Vaccines
- Department of Health and Human Services: Statement on Risk vs Benefit of Vaccinations
