Toddler and Infant Immunizations

Toddler and infant immunizations (sometimes called vaccinations) are a means of protecting your child against infection.

Immunization has proved to be one of the most effective means of reducing death and disability as a result of serious infections. Some infections, like small pox, have been completely eradicated because of an effective worldwide immunization program.

What are Immunizations?

There are various types of vaccines used for immunization. Each one is made to act against a particular virus or bacteria.

Vaccines act by stimulating the body to make defenses against the infection.

Some vaccines are referred to as live vaccines because the vaccine is the actual virus but without the part that makes you sick. Some vaccines use proteins that are similar to those in the bacteria or the virus and when they are given, the body builds up a protection against that protein which also means protection against the bacteria or virus.

Are immunizations safe?

Toddler and infant immunizations are generally very safe. Before they are introduced, they have usually gone through extensive safety testing.

In general, most babies and toddlers do not have reactions to immunisations. If they do, the reactions are usually mild and of no long-term significance.

What is the point of immunizing my baby against diseases that are not common where I live?

Individual countries have their own immunization schedules based on the diseases that have caused problems in the past. If you don't see a disease very often, (say diphtheria, for example), it is because the immunization program is so successful.

In the developed world, diseases like measles rarely cause any problems now because the immunization program has been in place for so long and the majority of the population is immunized and so there is hardly any virus around. When I worked in Ethiopia, measles would kill children. The mothers there would have walked days to get their children immunized because they know what a terrible disease measles can be.

If the majority of people stop immunizing their children, we could be in a situation like Ethiopia where measles becomes a killer disease again.

I have am concerned about side effects from immunizations

There has been a lot of negative publicity about toddler and infant immunizations - very little of this negative publicity is based on good research.

In the 1970's, there was a lot of negative publicity about the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine and people were concerned the vaccine caused seizures and brain damage. We now realize that this was inaccurate and that the complications people were worried about, like seizures and brain damage, are much more likely as a result of getting the disease and not because you were given the vaccine. so being immunized is protective of these problems.

More recently, there has been controversy about MMR (measles, mumps, rubella vaccine) causing autism. There has been extensive research and population studies that show that MMR does not cause autism.

Can my child have immunisations if he is allergic to eggs?

Children who are allergic to eggs can have all the usual childhood immunizations.

The only immunization that should be avoided if your child is allergic to egg is influenza vaccine.

Should I delay immunizing my child if he is unwell?

If your child is acutely unwell, then the immunization should be postponed. If your child has a mild illness (say a runny nose) and doesn't have a fever, he can be immunized. Young children have so many viral infections (see Upper Respiratory Tract Infections), that to delay immunization for these would mean your child would not be protected from more serious infections.

Are there any reasons my child can't be immunized?

Yes. Children who have impaired immune systems cannot have some vaccines. Your doctor will know which ones. Luckily, if you live in an area where most of the children are immunized, you child will get some protection (called herd immunity) because the virus or bacteria won't be around.

What are Recommended Childhood Immunizations?

Each country has its own recommendations for toddler and infant immunizations based on the diseases that are most problematic. Some immunizations, like tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) are universal.