Why vaccines keep your infants and children safe

National Infant Immunization Week is April 24 to May 1 and highlights the benefits of vaccines in children

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419 million illnesses. 8 million hospitalizations. 936,000 deaths.

These are the numbers that indicate how many children might have been impacted by disease from 1994 to 2018 had vaccines not existed or been successful. This data proves the efficacy of vaccines among infants and young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, as diseases that once led to death or disability are now rare.

Each year, National Infant Immunization Week is recognized in the springtime to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines in infants after birth and throughout childhood. The goal is to explain how vaccines are a safe and effective way to offer protection against preventable diseases, ultimately saving hundreds of thousands of lives and keeping kiddos out of the hospital.

Use this week, from April 24 to May 1, to ensure your infants and children are up to date and on schedule for their recommended vaccines.

Vaccines are discussed at essentially every well-child visit at MRH. The conversation may start as early as 2 weeks old — maybe sooner, as the Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended at birth.

How Immunizations Work

Vaccines work by training the immune system to recognize and combat pathogens, either viruses or bacteria, according to PublicHealth.org.

All childhood vaccines decrease the risk of serious illness caused by the viruses and bacteria that childhood vaccines help protect against. Through immunization, infants and children under the age of two are protected from 14 different diseases. The best example of vaccine efficacy is the elimination of polio in the U.S.

Locally, a lacking of childhood vaccinations has raised concern for the MRH team. Many vaccine-preventable diseases have made a resurgence. Measles cases have increased and can cause serious illness. They can result in complications like pneumonia, brain damage and deafness and can be fatal. Hospitalization may occur.

Other vaccine-preventable illnesses being seen by the MRH pediatrics team include pertussis (whooping cough), mumps and meningitis. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, other vaccine-preventable diseases include:

  • Diphtheria
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Influenza (Flu)
  • Meningococcal Infections
  • Pneumococcal Infections
  • Rotavirus
  • Rubella (German Measles)
  • Tetanus
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)

The 2021 suggested immunization schedule for children from birth to 6 years of age — recommended by the CDC — can be found in detail here.

Pediatrics at MRH

The pediatric team at MRH is happy to visit your little ones — from newborns to teenagers. It’s important to have a trusted pediatrician for your new family member after birth, and our specialists can provide an array of newborn care services, including well-child visits, immunizations, lactation consultation and more.

Learn more about our newborn pediatric care here.

Some same-day appointments are available in the MRH pediatric department. To schedule an appointment, learn more here or call 970-826-2480.

FAQ: Questions you may have about vaccines with your newborn

Data shows most parents choose to vaccinate their children; however, it’s completely normal for you to feel nervous about the process or to want to learn more about how they offer protection. Here are three common questions from parents regarding infant immunizations:

A: No evidence shows vaccines can damage or overwhelm a healthy immune system. According to PublicHealth.Org, based on the number of antibodies present in the blood, a baby would theoretically have the ability to respond to around 10,000 vaccines at one time. Even if all 14 of their scheduled vaccines were given at one time, it would only use up about 0.1% of their immune capacity.

Sticking to the recommended vaccine schedule is best. Any time you delay a vaccine, you can leave your baby vulnerable to disease.

A: Side effects from vaccines are 1) rare and 2) far less dangerous than getting the actual disease they’re preventing. If side effects do occur, they are mild and go away within a few days. If a rare, more serious side effect does occur, we are fully prepared to deal with the reaction to ensure your child is OK.

A: Vaccines are not linked to increases in health problems such as autism, asthma or auto-immune diseases. There is no evidence to suggest that vaccines threaten a long, healthy life. Conversely, we know lack of vaccination can threaten a long and healthy life.

Source: CDC

Since infants have not yet had the time to develop a strong immune system, they are left vulnerable to infections that can have negative effects, such as serious illness or death. According to the CDC, the current U.S. vaccine supply is the safest in history. Vaccines do not cause autism, contain unsafe toxins or infect children with the disease they’re designed to prevent, as many myths might imply.

“Vaccines, time and time again, have been shown to be safe,” said the MRH Pediatric team. “The benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks.”

COVID-19’s Impact on Immunizations

The CDC and AAP recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations, even during COVID-19.

A CDC report released in May 2020 showed childhood vaccination rates dropped as families stayed home for the pandemic. As a result, many children missed their recommended vaccinations.

With schools re-opening and warmer weather bringing more opportunities for in-person activities, vaccines are more important now than when people were more homebound. Know that the pediatric staff at MRH are taking appointments and have protocols in place to ensure your child is safe during their visit.

It’s important to remember that even if your child isn’t due for any vaccines, an annual well-child visit is just as important to schedule. This is an opportunity for your provider to check in on their physical and mental health and for you as the parent to ask any questions you may have. For more information about well-child checks at MRH and how pediatric providers work with our patients, learn more in this article.

If you have any questions about immunizations, especially regarding your infant, don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff — we are more than happy to elaborate on any concerns you may have.