9 questions every parent should ask their pediatrician about vaccination

(BPT) – Immunization is an important step that may help protect your child against serious infectious diseases. Whether this is your first child or your fourth, paving the way for your little one’s lifelong health is very important. It is important that you get your information from credible sources, like your child’s pediatrician.

Here are nine questions you should ask your pediatrician to learn more about vaccination. Some of the answers might just surprise you!

1. How do I know which vaccines my child needs and when to get him/her vaccinated?

The CDC recommends a vaccination schedule to help protect children against 14 serious diseases before the age of two. You should talk with your child’s pediatrician about the schedule and confirm which vaccines your child needs. Some vaccines require more than one dose to help give your child the immunity he/she needs. It is important that you work with your child’s pediatrician to stick to the schedule as closely as possible in order to ensure the best protection for him/her.

2. How do vaccines work?

Vaccines help reduce the risk of getting an infectious disease by supporting the body’s natural defenses and building immunity to the disease. When bacteria or viruses infect the body, they attack and multiply, causing illness. Our immune systems work to fight off infection by building cells that can help find and fight the disease. Vaccines imitate this process before your baby gets sick by helping your baby’s immune system develop the ability to recognize and fight the real infection in the future.

3. Are vaccines safe?

Years of testing are required by law before a vaccine can be licensed. While side effects may occur, once in use, vaccines are continually monitored for safety. Serious side effects, such as serious allergic reactions, are not common. Parents should discuss any side effects or concerns with their pediatrician.

4. How do we know that vaccination really works?

Most childhood vaccines produce immunity 90-100 percent of the time. For each birth cohort vaccinated with the routine immunization schedule, society saves 33,000 lives and prevents 14 million cases of disease, based on a study of population-based vaccination and disease rates between 1995-2001, published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

5. Why is it important for my child to be fully vaccinated so early in life?

The diseases that vaccines may help prevent can be dangerous or even deadly. The immune systems of children under the age of two are still developing, leaving them among those at greatest risk for diseases such as measles, chickenpox and pneumococcal disease. You may be able to help protect your child from these serious infections through vaccination.

6. Why does my child need to be vaccinated if everyone else has been immunized?

In 2014 alone, the U.S. saw 668 cases and 23 outbreaks of measles, a vaccine-preventable disease that was considered to be eliminated in 2000. Each year, approximately 300 American children die from vaccine-preventable diseases—proof that many of these diseases are still circulating in the U.S. today.

Although many people adhere to the recommended immunization schedule, pockets of under- and unvaccinated people of all ages still exist, and the prevalence of global travel allows for diseases to move across borders. This is why it’s important that children receive recommended vaccinations on time.

Herd immunity occurs when the majority of a community is immunized against a certain vaccine-preventable disease, providing a significant level of protection for the rest of the community and decreasing the chance of an outbreak. Choosing not to vaccinate your child and depending on his or her vaccinated peers for protection may be a risky decision. You can help protect your child from these diseases through directly vaccinating him or her, rather than relying on the immunity of the community.

7. What if my child is behind on his or her vaccination schedule?

If your child misses a dose, your doctor will most often administer the next or missed dose as soon as possible, in accordance with the CDC’s recommended schedule. This will help to get your child back on track. In order for your child to be fully immunized, he or she must receive all recommended doses of each vaccine. Visit the CDC’s website to find recommended vaccination schedules and other helpful tools to track your child’s vaccinations.

8. Can my child get vaccinated if I don’t have health insurance?

Yes, there are steps you can take to ensure that your child receives the vaccinations that he or she needs, some of which may even be required by your state to attend school or day care. Since 1994, the U.S. Federal Government has funded Vaccines For Children (VFC), a program that provides free vaccinations for people without health insurance or with insurance that doesn’t cover vaccinations. Find out more on the CDC’s website or call 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) and ask for the phone number of your state’s VFC Coordinator.

9. How can I learn more about vaccination?

If you have any questions about vaccines or are unsure about whether or not they’re right for your child, it’s important to talk to your child’s doctor right away. More information can be found on the websites for the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.