Are vaccinations worth the pain?
When your child is young, your healthcare provider will likely recommend one or more vaccines at each child wellness visit. These vaccines are usually given as shots.
It’s challenging enough to get to an appointment with a young child. It’s even harder when you know your child will feel the pinch of a needle. Most parents and caregivers want to protect their children from pain and discomfort.
The truth is childhood vaccinations are not fun for anyone…but they can save your child’s life.
We don’t hear about diseases like pertussis, polio, rubella, and pneumococcal disease very often anymore. But in the past, these diseases were very common. They moved quickly from person to person and caused severe sickness, permanent disability, and even death. Vaccines are responsible for making these diseases rare.
Childhood vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to protect your child, when taken in the right doses at the right times. Even better, most vaccinations are no cost for kids.
Read on for more truths about vaccinations.
“As pediatric healthcare professionals, our number one priority is the health and safety of children. Vaccines continue to be our most effective tool in supporting this goal. Your pediatric provider is a trusted partner in the care of your children, and we are available to help discuss any concerns and answer questions you may have regarding vaccinations.”
Vaccines are safe.
Vaccines act like mild, controlled infections to make your body produce more white blood cells and proteins called antibodies. Antibodies fight off substances in the body that don’t belong there, like viruses. Once the antibodies get rid of the “infection,” you are considered immunized. Not only are you protected, but you protect others around you.
The Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and other national agencies test vaccines many times before they are given to people. Also, vaccines are tested with other vaccines to make sure they are okay to give together, even to babies and young children.
A vaccine’s side effects are very mild compared to getting sick.
You may feel tired, sore, or have a low fever after a vaccination, but usually only for a few days. On the other hand, full-blown infections are unpredictable. Without vaccinations, your body is unprepared for the fight. This can result in serious medical issues, hospitalization, long-term disability, and even death.
*An important exception: Children and adults with weak immune systems or rare allergies to vaccines may have more serious side effects to vaccination. Always talk with your healthcare provider before getting a vaccination of any kind.
Vaccinations are especially important for babies.
Babies’ immune systems are weak because they have not come into contact with many germs. It is much more common for babies to be hospitalized, and sometimes die, from diseases that can be prevented with vaccines. That’s why so many vaccines are recommended during a baby’s first 18 months of life.
You may understand the importance of vaccines, but it still is hard to see your baby feel pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide tips to make shots less stressful for everyone.
Some vaccines require more than one dose.
One dose of a vaccine provides some protection, but it may not last very long. Some vaccines may need to be given three or more times, over months or years, to protect well.
For example, the DTaP vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis is given four times to infants in the first 18 months, then booster doses are given around kindergarten and sixth grade. Adults should get a tetanus booster once every 10 years or during pregnancy.
Some viruses, like the flu, can change quickly. That’s why it is recommended to get a new flu vaccination every year.
Immunization protects others you care about.
Some babies are too young to have all their vaccines. Children with diseases like leukemia have weak immune systems and cannot receive certain vaccines. When we protect ourselves, we greatly reduce the risk of spreading these illnesses to those who can’t be vaccinated.
Vaccines do not cause autism.
You may have heard rumors that vaccines cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD), use harmful ingredients, or are linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). These rumors are not supported by high-quality research. In fact, these myths are dangerous because they may keep people from vaccinating their children.
Learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Immunization can save your family time and money.
If your child gets sick with a vaccine-preventable disease, they won’t be allowed to go to school or childcare. There is a good chance you will need to see a healthcare provider, maybe multiple times. In some cases, these diseases cause serious, long-term problems that require constant care. The costs of losing time at work and medical bills add up quickly.
Vaccinations through Open Door Health Services are no cost for all kids. For Medicaid patients and those who don’t have insurance, vaccinations are paid for through the national Vaccines for Children program. Private insurance cover the cost of most vaccinations.