Newborns have temporary protection against many diseases due to the antibodies that have passed to them from their mothers. Breastfed infants get even more of those benefits from their mother's milk, according to The March of Dimes. However, your baby needs to receive a series of vaccines, which provide his immune system with the ability to fight off several diseases once the immunity he gets from you wears off.
Significance
Vaccines are important not only for your baby, but for other people as well. According to the March of Dimes, when people are not vaccinated, viruses and bacteria that cause disease can mutate and cause infections even in people who received a vaccination against the original infection.
Types
Vaccines come in different forms. For example, some are weakened live viruses, such as the vaccine used for measles, mumps and rubella. Another type of vaccine, such as the polio virus, is a killed or inactivated bacteria or virus. Toxoid vaccines contain an inactivated toxin from the bacterium that causes the infection, and conjugate vaccines combine proteins with parts of bacteria, according to the KidsHealth website.
Birth to 6 Months
At birth, your baby should receive a vaccine called Hep B to help protect her from Hepatitis B, according to the March of Dimes. Your baby should receive a second dose one to two months later. In her second month, she should receive a DTaP vaccine, which helps protect her from diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough; an Hib vaccine to protect her against the infection known as Haemophilius influenzae, which can cause infections such as meningitis and pneumonia; an IPV vaccine, which protects her against polio; a PCV to protect her against pneumococcus, which can lead to infections such as meningitis, pneumonia and bloodstream infections; and the RTV or Rota vaccine, which helps protect her against rotavirus. She should receive a second dose of DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV and RTV in her fourth month and another dose of DTap, Hib, PCV and RTV in her sixth month, according to KidsHealth.
Over 6 Months
Your infant should receive an annual seasonal influenza vaccine, or flu shot, starting after his sixth month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between months 6 and 8 he should have another dose of HBV and IPV. Between his 12th and 15th months he should receive another dose of Hib and another dose of PCV, an MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella and a vaccine called Varicella for chickenpox, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sometime between his 12th and 23rd month he should also receive a Hep A vaccine.
Potential Side Effects
Some vaccines come with potential side effects such as low fever and rash, but they usually are very mild. Rarely an infant can have an allergic reaction to a vaccine and develop hives, become dizzy, have an irregular heartbeat or have trouble breathing. Even more rarely, a vaccine can cause an infant to develop a seizure or high fever. Observe your child carefully after vaccines, and call your doctor if your child seems sick.
