Facts About Specific Childhood Vaccines

Vaccines are available to families today for parents to be able to keep their children safe from many of the deadly diseases that, throughout history, have claimed the lives of many young kids. Even though parents hear from many sources that they should make sure their child gets vaccinated, some parents do not know the facts about the specific vaccinations that their children will be receiving when they get their shots. A lot of parents hear myths from other parents about vaccines that can easily be confused as facts. This article will help parents understand the facts about some of the specific vaccines their children will be getting when they are vaccinated.

DTaP

The DTaP vaccine that children receive protects them from three diseases. These diseases are diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. These diseases are caused by bacteria and are very dangerous. Diphtheria is transferred from person to person, just as is pertussis. Tetanus is a little different, this bacteria enters the body through any open wounds or cuts.

The disease diphtheria can cause paralysis, breathing problems, heart failure, and death. Tetanus is also known as lockjaw. This disease can cause someone’s jaw to become locked so that they cannot open their mouth or swallow. It can also lead to death. Pertussis or whooping cough causes a person to cough so much that they can’t drink, eat, or even breathe.

Your doctor can provide vaccine information to you.

This vaccine is given in five different doses to children. A child should receive the first dose of DTaP when they are two months old, followed by a dose at four months, six months, 15 to 18 months, and the last dose given at age 4 to 6 years. This vaccine is safe to be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Pneumococcal Conjugate

Children who are under five years of age are very susceptible to the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria can cause someone to become very sick and can even cause death. It is actually the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the US. It can also cause deafness, brain damage, pneumonia, and blood and ear infections. When an infant is vaccinated with this vaccine they are best protected against this disease during the time when they are at the greatest risk for the disease.

This vaccination is given in four doses. The first dose should be given when an infant is two months old, with the following doses at four months, six months, and then when the child is between 12 to 15 months old. If a child did not receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at these times, they can receive the vaccine after that. But the number of doses a child will need will depend on their age.

Polio

In the United States in 1916, polio caused 6,000 deaths and 27,000 people to be paralyzed. Many more people got polio before the vaccination was invented and used in 1955. The polio vaccine has drastically helped to eliminate the disease in the United States. But unfortunately the disease is still common in other countries. Because it is still possible for people to get polio, it is very important for children to get vaccinated.

Polio is a virus that enters a person’s mouth through their mouth. It can paralyze someone’s arms or legs and can even paralyze the muscles that a person uses to breath. This vaccine is given in four doses. An infant should first receive the vaccine when they are two months, with the second dose at four months, the third dose at six to 18 months, and the booster dose should be given to a child between the ages of four and six.