The Importance of Vaccination Schedules for Children
By Anna Gunther
Published May 20, 2022
The start of the new school year is a great time for parents to make sure their child is up to date with all of their scheduled vaccinations. Many schools require them in order for kids to come to class.
Within the first four years of life, children need a host of vaccinations to prevent potentially devastating diseases. Some of the common vaccinations are for diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. Any booster shots are important too, designed specifically to drive lifelong immunity.
Gregory Germain, MD, Associate Chair, Department of Pediatrics at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, said any gap or delay in vaccines can leave children open to risk. That’s why it’s so important for parents to stay up to date on their child’s vaccinations.
"The science behind vaccines is they work best if you get the vaccines on a schedule," Dr. Germain said. "We know that vaccines generate some immunity, start to wane and the booster dose or second dose expands exponentially that immunity."
Another important vaccination for kids is the COVID-19 vaccine. Yale New Haven Children's Hospital recommends eligible children get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves and others.
Even kids who are already up to date with their vaccinations still need a yearly check-up, so Dr. Germain recommends parents remember to schedule their child's visit with their pediatrician.
FAQ: Vaccine Reactions
What are some common vaccine reactions?
Any vaccine can cause side effects. The most common are minor injection site reactions, such as pain and swelling at the site of injection. Less common are all other side effects, including systemic symptoms (such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches), and rare side effects such as Guillain Barre syndrome.
How do you treat a reaction to a vaccine?
Generally, treatment is supportive. So if there are muscle aches and injection site pain for example, Tylenol and NSAIDs like ibuprofen can help alleviate symptoms.
What does an allergic reaction look like?
As with any medication or vaccine, there is always a small risk of an allergic reaction. These can range from mild (an itchy rash at the injection site) to severe (anaphylaxis). When allergic reactions occur, they usually happen within minutes of the vaccine. The most severe is anaphylaxis which can include a full body rash with hives, and throat swelling with difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency.
What should you do if you suspect an adverse vaccine reaction?
Most of the time these are mild, brief, and self-limited that will go away on their own with time. If a symptom is lasting longer than 72 hours then it should be evaluated by a medical provider. If there is concern for an immediate allergic reaction, most clinics will be trained in how to respond to this but it may require medication or medical evaluation.
Are there any vaccines that should not be given together?
Most vaccines can be given together. Vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV for example, can all be given at the same visit. Sometimes if there is a new vaccine, or a vaccine where someone is unsure if they will have a reaction, that vaccine can be given separately to more accurately monitor the side effects and know which vaccine caused it.
What are some common misconceptions about vaccine reactions?
Any vaccine can cause side effects, but in general these are mild and self-limited.
It is important to remember what is being prevented. A mild vaccine side effect is in almost all cases better than getting the actual disease it is trying to prevent. The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risk in almost all circumstances, but if there is concern then it is important to discuss with your doctor.
Not everyone can get every vaccine. Some vaccines are live, weakened viruses so they cannot be given to people with low immune systems or those who are pregnant. The measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine is a good example of this.
