Patient Education: Vaccines for Infants and Children Ages 0 to 6 (Beyond the Basics)

Introduction: 

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent serious diseases in children and adults. The United States’ vaccine program has been highly successful in reducing the number of children who contract many highly contagious diseases, including measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, and polio. 

In the United States, there are several vaccines that are routinely recommended for infants and their children under 7 years of age. These are explained in detail in this article. Recommended schedules are also available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More general information about how vaccines work, the risks and benefits of vaccines, and general concerns about vaccine safety is available separately. 

Vaccine recommendations for children and adults ages 7 to 18 are also discussed separately. To do. to do. to do. 

Vaccine Safety: 

In most cases. The benefits of vaccination are far greater. than the potential risk. There are many superstitions about vaccines, and you may have heard rumors that vaccines are dangerous or contain harmful ingredients. In fact, all vaccines must go through a specific process to test their safety before they can be recommended. Further information on vaccine safety is available separately. 

Contraindications to vaccination: 

There are several situations in which infants and children should not receive certain vaccines or vaccine preparations, such as if there is a history of severe allergic reactions. 

If you are concerned about whether a particular vaccine is safe for your child. , talk to your child’s health care provider. . child. You will also be informed if there are any circumstances in which vaccination may need to be delayed (for example, if your child is sick, vaccination may be delayed more than usual). 

Recommended immunizations: 

In the United States, vaccine recommendations for children are based on policies developed by expert groups. Your child’s health care provider can discuss when your child should receive certain vaccines. Vaccines recommended for infants and children from newborn to 6 years of age are discussed below.

COVID-19 — Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. It can cause symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Some people become seriously ill due to the new coronavirus infection. 

Children over 6 months of age can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible children. 

Timing and Dosing — The COVID-19 vaccine comes as a shot. In the United States, experts recommend “mRNA” vaccines for children over 6 months old. In the fall of 2023, both available mRNA vaccines will be updated for the 2023-2024 season and will provide sufficient protection against common variants of the virus. . The number and timing of vaccinations depends on your child’s age, health, and which vaccines they have previously received. Infants and young children receive fewer doses of vaccines than older children and adults. 

If your child has a medical condition or is taking medication that weakens their immune system more than normal, your doctor may recommend additional doses of the vaccine. 

Side effects — Possible side effects include pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, and headache. Side effects usually subside within 1 to 2 days. 

Serious side effects are rare. A very small number of people developed inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) after receiving the mRNA vaccine. Most cases were male teenagers or young adults. This side effect is very rare and, if it occurs, it is usually mild and treatable. Experts believe the benefits of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 far outweigh the risks.

Hepatitis B — Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause inflammation of the liver (hepatitis). Although HBV infection often resolves or becomes asymptomatic, HBV can cause chronic liver disease, which can lead to progressive liver scarring (cirrhosis) and liver cancer. HBV is transmitted through contact with the body fluids of an infected person and can be passed from an infected pregnant woman to her baby. HBV can also be transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing contaminated needles, and contact with contaminated blood or blood products.

Timing and Dosing — HBV vaccination is recommended for all children from birth. The vaccine requires three doses. The first dose must be given within 24 hours of birth. The second and third vaccinations are given 1 to 2 months later, then 6 to 18 months later. Children who received the HBV vaccine in combination with other vaccines can receive their fourth dose of the HBV vaccine. The fourth dose is considered an additional dose and is not harmful. 

Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough — Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease. It is usually transmitted through droplets dispersed into the air by coughing or sneezing. A thick film forms at the back of the throat, which can cause breathing problems and heart failure.

Tetanus is also a very serious infection caused by bacterial toxins. This bacterium lives in the soil and the intestinal tract of certain mammals. They enter the body through wounds, multiply, and produce toxins that affect the nerves that control muscle activity. A common symptom of a tetanus infection is stiffness of the jaw muscles 

Whooping cough or whooping cough is an upper respiratory tract disease caused by bacteria. This microorganism is highly contagious, spreads easily, and can cause serious illness, especially in infants.

Tetanus and diphtheria diseases are rare in the United States because many people are vaccinated. However, despite widespread vaccination, pertussis infections continue to occur, especially in infants. The good news is that infants who are vaccinated against pertussis are usually less sick than infants who are not vaccinated.

Timing and Dosing — In the United States, a combination diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is recommended for all children. Acellular pertussis vaccines (DTaP) have replaced older types of pertussis vaccines (DTPs) known as whole-cell vaccines. Five vaccinations are recommended at ages 2, 4, and 6 months, a fourth dose at ages 15 to 18 months, and a fifth dose at ages 4 to 6 years. A recommended schedule is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Side effects — Common side effects include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. fever; drowsiness; and loss of appetite. These reactions become more common after the fourth and his fifth dose.

Rare side effects include severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and brain swelling. Children who develop a severe allergic reaction or brain swelling within 7 days of receiving the DTaP or DTP vaccine should no longer receive this vaccine.

For children with progressive or unstable neurological disorders (e.g., infantile spasms, poorly controlled seizures), DTaP vaccination should be delayed until the neurological disorder is controlled or stabilized. There is. For children who are moderately or severely ill on the scheduled vaccination date, DTaP vaccination should be delayed until symptoms improve. 

Polio — During the first half of the 20th century, polio (commonly referred to as “polio”) was a leading cause of serious illness and death around the world. It remains a serious health problem in some countries with limited resources. Before vaccines were available, more than 20,000 polio cases were reported annually in the United States. The main signs of polio include muscle weakness, pain, and fatigue. Ultimately, the disease can lead to paralysis and death. 

All children should be vaccinated against polio to avoid new outbreaks. In the United States, the polio vaccine is made from a killed virus and injected (called IPV). In other countries where polio disease remains a major problem, oral polio vaccine (OPV) is being administered.

Timing and Dosage — The U.S. injectable polio vaccine series contains four doses. The first and second vaccines are given at 2 and 4 months of age. The third shot is usually given between 6 and 18 months of age, and the fourth shot is usually given between 4 and 6 years of age before school starts. Children who miss a dose should receive the remaining dose.

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