Why vaccinations for children are important
Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Nearly 300 years later, our Plano pediatricians agree. Vaccinations for children are important because they allow kids to avoid the serious diseases that once routinely sickened or killed children.
Types of vaccinations for children
Vaccines are administered to children according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) vaccination schedule. Common vaccinations for children are listed below. Our Plano pediatricians may recommend additional vaccines that are not on this list.
- The hepatitis B vaccine protects against hepatitis B, which can cause serious liver problems.
- The rotavirus vaccine can prevent rotavirus, which can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting.
- The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria, which can cause heart swelling, tetanus, severe muscle spasms and whooping cough. All of these conditions can be deadly.
- The Hib vaccine can protect against Haemophilus influenzaetype b, which can cause deadly illnesses like meningitis and epiglottitis.
- The PCV13 vaccine protects against pneumococcus bacteria, which can cause severe and deadly infections of the blood and spinal covering.
- The IPV vaccine protects against polio, which can cause paralysis and result in death.
- The annual flu vaccine protects against the dominant strains of flu, which can cause serious illness and discomfort. Flu complications can lead to death.
- The MMR vaccine protects against measles and mumps, which can cause mild to life-threatening illnesses or death, and rubella, which in pregnant women can lead to stillbirth or serious pregnancy complications.
- The varicella vaccine prevents chickenpox, which causes a rash and discomfort that can progress to serious and deadly infections of the skin, lungs or brain.
- The hepatitis A vaccine protects against hepatitis A, which can cause illness, liver problems, and diseases of the pancreas and kidneys.
- The MenACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal disease, which can cause sometimes-fatal meningitis and blood infections.
- The HPV vaccine protects against human papilloma virus, which can cause a variety of cancers in men and women.
Our Plano pediatricians can help ensure that your child is up-to-date on the recommended vaccination schedule and is receiving maximum protection.
Vaccinations for children are safe and effective
Our Plano pediatricians want you to feel confident in vaccinating your child. Research has demonstrated that vaccines are safe and effective ways to prevent diseases. While some vaccines may cause side effects, these are usually mild. If you become concerned about your child’s reaction to his or her vaccination, our office can help.
To learn more about vaccinations for children, or to schedule your child’s next appointment, contact our office today.