In the United States, children receive vaccinations for a host of diseases. These include polio, chicken pox, hepatitis B, tetanus, hepatitis, rubella, mumps, measles, pneumococcus, haemophilus influenza, diphtheria, pertussis and yearly flu strains. The recommended schedule for infants, children and adults to receive these vaccines is set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Purpose
Following the CDC's recommended schedule for infant vaccinations ensures that your baby is protected from the diseases, many fatal, covered by the shots. Your baby should get all of her shots on time to protect those around her, as well, because if she isn't immunized, there is a chance that she can contract one of the fatal diseases. If this occurs, she puts others around her at risk of getting sick, because no immunization is 100 percent effective, according to Dr. George Frommell, a pediatrician.
Time Frame
Your baby will get his first shot before he leaves the hospital. Shots also are required at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12 months. Many of the shots given require more than one dose for maximum efficiency. This is the reason for the frequency of vaccinations during the baby's first year of life. The flu vaccine must be given annually to protect your baby adequately. The first time your baby gets the flu shot, he will have to have another shot four weeks later, but after that, he will get only one flu shot per year.
Considerations
Some babies have to follow a different schedule for immunizations. Children with weak immune systems, such as those who have cancer or birth defects such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, may have to start immunizations later than healthy infants. Some children may become ill and have to delay shots. In this case, the baby will have to follow a catchup schedule to ensure that all necessary shots are administered before she starts school.
Warnings
There is a risk of your baby having a reaction to the vaccines. It is possible that your baby will run fever, be cranky and suffer from soreness at the injection site after being vaccinated. Some of the vaccines contain eggs, which may cause an allergic reaction in some babies. If your baby has a reaction after a vaccination, contact his pediatrician to determine if your child needs to follow an alternate schedule for vaccinations. In some cases, your child may have to have vaccinations one at a time until the vaccination that caused the reaction is determined. If that occurs, your child may be able to get all of the other vaccinations on schedule and delay or forgo the vaccination that caused the reaction.
