Vaccines help children develop immunity to dangerous diseases like measles, polio, and tetanus without having to get sick first. They work by exposing the immune system to weakened or dead versions of viruses and bacteria. While vaccines carry very small risks of side effects like fever or soreness, they have reduced serious illnesses to historically low levels. It is recommended that children receive vaccinations according to schedules from organizations like the CDC to develop immunity at key ages.

3. It also called Shots.
Today, children in the United States routinely get vaccines that
protect them from more than a dozen diseases such as measles,
polio and tetanus .
Most of these diseases are now at their lowest levels in history,
thanks to years of immunization. Children must get at least
some vaccines before they may attend.
Vaccines help make you immune to serious diseases without
getting sick first. Without a vaccine, you must actually get a
disease in order to become immune to the germ that causes it.
Vaccines work best when they are given at certain ages. For
example, children don't receive measles vaccine until they are
at least one year old. If it is given earlier it might not work as
well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes
a schedule for childhood vaccines.

4. • Immunization, or immunisation, is the process by which
an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an
agent (known as the immunogen).
• When an immune system is exposed to molecules that are
foreign to the body (non-self), it will orchestrate an immune
response, but it can also develop the ability to quickly respond
to a subsequent encounter (through immunological memory).
This is a function of the adaptive immune system. Therefore,
by exposing an animal to an immunogen in a controlled way,
their body can learn to protect itself: this is called active
immunization.
• The most important elements of the immune system that are
improved by immunization are the B cells (and the antibodies
they produce) and T cells.

6. • An ANTIBODY is defined as “an immunoglobulin capable
of specific combination with the antigen that caused its
production in a susceptible animal.” They are produced in
response to the invasion of foreign molecules in the body. Most
antibodies exist as one or more copies of a Y-shaped unit,
composed of four polypeptide chains. Each Y contains two
identical copies of a heavy chain, and two identical copies of a
light chain, named as such by their relative molecular weights.
No mammalian vertebrate antibodies are similar in structure to
mammalian IgG and carry the designation IgY (for yolk-
derived). Mammalian antibodies can be divided into five
classes: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE, based on the number of
Y units and the type of heavy chain. Heavy chains of IgG,
IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE, are known as g, µ, a, d, and e,
respectively. The light chains of any antibody can be classified
as either a kappa (.) or Antibody Structure lambda (.) type
(based on small polypeptide structural differences); however,
the heavy chain determines the subclass of each antibody.

7. • Vaccines are generally quite safe. The protection provided by
vaccines far outweighs the very small risk of serious problems.
Vaccines have made many serious childhood diseases rare
today. Talk to your family doctor if you have any questions.
• Some vaccines may cause mild temporary side effects such as
fever, or soreness or a lump under the skin where the shot was
given. Your family doctor will talk to you about possible side
effects with certain vaccines.

8. • Recommendations about when to have your child vaccinated
change from time to time. You can get a copy of the most
current child ; About PDFs) or adolescent vaccination
schedules from an organization such as the American Academy
of Family Physicians or the American Academy of Pediatrics,
or you can ask your family doctor. Vaccinations usually start
when your child is 2 months old and most are finished by the
time he or she is 6 years old.

9. • In some special situations, children shouldn't be vaccinated.
For example, some vaccines shouldn't be given to children who
have certain types of cancer or certain diseases, or who are
taking drugs that lower the body's ability to resist infection.
If your child has had a serious reaction to the first shot in a
series of shots, your family doctor will probably talk with you
about the pros and cons of giving him or her the rest of the
shots in the series.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about whether
your child should receive a vaccine.

10. • The flu vaccine is available by shot or by nasal spray. The flu
shot contains dead viruses. The nasal-spray vaccine contains
live but weakened viruses. You cannot get the flu from the flu
shot or the nasal-spray vaccine.
The flu vaccine is given at the beginning of the flu season,
usually in October or November. The flu shot is safe for
children 6 months of age and older. The nasal spray vaccine is
safe for children 2 years of age and older. Because flu viruses
change from year to year, it is very important for your child to
get the vaccine each year so that he or she will be protected.
Children are more likely to have complications from the flu.

11. • The varicella virus usually causes a rash, itching, tiredness and
fever. It can lead to pneumonia, brain infection or death.
Complications occur most often in very young children, adults
or people with damaged immune systems.

12. • Tetanus is caused by a poison produced by a germ that can
enter the body through a cut, wound or any break in the skin --
even a tiny cut or puncture. Tetanus causes serious, painful
spasms of all muscles and can lead to "locking" of the jaw so a
person cannot open his or her mouth, swallow, breath or move.
Three of 10 people who get tetanus die from the disease.
Tetanus germs are found everywhere, usually in soil, dust and
manure. Everyone should have a tetanus- diphtheria booster
shot every 10 years to stay protected.

13. • Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is an
extremely contagious disease that also may affect the brain and is
very serious for children younger than 6 years of age. It can cause
spells of violent coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe,
drink or eat. The cough can last for weeks. Pertussis is most
serious for babies, who can get pneumonia, have seizures, become
brain damaged, or even die. About half of the babies who get
pertussis have to be hospitalized. Immunizations should begin at
2 months of age and are finished by 6 years of age. Pertussis is
caused by a germ that lives in the mouth, nose and throat. It is
spread to others through coughing or sneezing.

14. • Paralytic polio is a virus that strikes children and adults and
can cripple and kill. It is spread by contact with the feces
(bowel movement) of an infected person. Symptoms can include
sudden fever, sore throat, headache, muscle weakness and pain.
Before the discovery of the vaccine, polio caused epidemics in
all parts of the United States. However, with the vaccine
available and immunization rates at all-time highs, there has
not been a reported case of polio in Illinois since 1983.
Immunization begins at 2 months of age and is usually
completed before school entry. However, an adult may need
one or more doses if traveling to infected countries.

15. • The measles virus can be spread very easily. Even being in the
same room with a person with measles is enough to catch the
disease. Symptoms include a rash, fever, cough and watery
eyes. Measles also can cause pneumonia, brain damage,
seizures or death. Before the vaccine became available, nearly
every child developed measles and measles caused hundreds of
deaths in the United States every year. Immunization has
sharply decreased the number of children getting measles in the
U.S. and Illinois. In 1996, there were only three cases of
measles reported in the state.

16. • The rubella virus usually causes mild sickness with fever,
swollen glands and a rash that last about three days. But, if a
pregnant woman gets rubella, she can lose her baby, or the
baby can be born blind, deaf, mentally retarded or with heart
defects or other serious problems. The vaccine is combined with
those for measles and for mumps.

17. • Diphtheria - (PDF) is an infectious disease spread by bacteria or
germs that live in the mouth, throat and nose of an infected
person, diphtheria is easily passed to others through coughing and
sneezing. Early symptoms are a sore throat, a slight fever and
chills. Usually the disease develops in the throat and can make it
hard to swallow. If not treated, or not treated in time, the
bacteria may produce a powerful poison that can spread
throughout the body causing serious complications such as heart
failure or paralysis. For years, diphtheria killed many children in
the United States and could again if children are not immunized.
Adults get continuing protection from diphtheria and tetanus in
the same shot. Due to the success of immunizations, there has not
been a case of diphtheria reported in Illinois since 1985.

18. • Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver that can become serious.
It spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids. This
can happen by sharing a razor, toothbrush or needles to inject
drugs, or through sexual contact. Hepatitis B causes a flu-like
illness with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, rashes, joint pain
and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin). An infected
pregnant woman can expose her newborn to this virus during
birth. The virus stays in the liver of some people for the rest of
their lives and can result in severe liver diseases or cancer. Three
doses of a new vaccine offer protection, and immunization is
recommended for all infants, children and adolescents. Some
adults who are at increased risks — doctors, nurses, teachers,
paramedics, police officers — may need to be vaccinated.

19. • Haemophilus influenzae causes serious health problems
in young children, including the most dangerous type of
meningitis. It also can cause pneumonia and infection of the
blood, joints, bone, throat and heart covering. This disease can
be serious for children younger than 5 years of age, especially
infants. New Hib vaccines are very effective in children 2
months of age or older. They are not needed after the child
reaches 5 years of age.

20. • We can all take important steps to prevent germs from
spreading among people. It is not possible to tell if a person
may be infected with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or any
number of other diseases. Following these steps will help to
protect ourselves and others when we come into contact with
blood or body fluids. To help prevent disease, we can handle or
treat the blood and all body fluids (except sweat) of every
person as potentially infectious.

21. • Blood and Body Fluids - If you come into contact
with blood and body fluids (except sweat), always treat them
as potentially infectious. Clean up spills quickly using
absorbent material first, such as paper towels. Then clean more
thoroughly with soap and water. Finally, disinfect with
household bleach.
• Gloves - Use clean, disposable gloves when handling any
body fluids or cleaning cuts, scrapes or wounds. Wash hands
after removing gloves, and dispose of the gloves in a plastic
bag. Add gloves to your first aid kit so you are prepared.
• Needle Stick Injuries - Wash the area with warm soapy
water. Do not squeeze the wound or soak it in bleach. Go to
the nearest health unit or hospital emergency department
immediately for care.

22. • Personal Articles - Never share toothbrushes or razors.
They can transmit small amounts of blood from one user to the
next. Dispose of razors carefully. Handle bedding or clothing
soiled with body fluids cautiously, and wash in hot soapy
water.
Hand washing is the best way to prevent the
spread of germs from one person to another.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
for at least 15 to 20 seconds. Waterless
alcohol-based hand rinses can be used as
long as hands are not heavily soiled.

23. • Your doctor or the staff at the clinic will keep a record of your
children's immunizations, but you should also have a record of
this information. An up-to-date record, showing kinds of
immunization and dates received, helps you to cooperate with the
doctor. It serves as a reminder of visits coming up and of
remaining immunizations and booster doses that you won't want
your youngsters to miss. It provides comforting evidence that
your family is completely protected against eight serious diseases.
• In most States, children will not be allowed to enter or attend
school unless they have records which prove compliance with all
school immunization requirements.
• Your doctor or clinic will be happy to provide an immunization
record form for you to keep. Most likely it will be an official
State record. Have the doctor date and sign your personal record
each time an immunization is given. That way, you can be sure
that the information is current and correct.

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