Vaccines are an important part of preventative care. They work by preparing the body to fight various types of illnesses. Vaccines are safe and effective – protecting your child from dangerous diseases as they navigate through this mosaic world.
At One Family Pediatrics, we follow the vaccine recommendations endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. We endorse this schedule based on scientific data that has proven the efficacy and safety of vaccines when your child is the most vulnerable of acquiring a vaccine preventable disease.
What do vaccines do? Vaccines contain a dead or weakened germ (live vaccine) of a particular disease. When this is injected or orally taken into the body, ideally an immune response is triggered. This can be fever, swelling at the injection site, or a milder form of the disease if a weakened germ is used. The body “practices” fighting the disease by making antibodies that recognize specific parts of the virus or bacteria. This allows the body to “remember” a disease and fight off a future exposure.
Why does my baby need so many vaccines? Currently, children from birth to 6 years are giving immunizations that protect against 14 different disease. These vaccines have been well studied and are safe to give in combination form.
Do immunizations cause Autism? No. Many well-documented and verified studies studies prove that vaccines do NOT cause autism. In some European countries, the rate of autism is on the rise while the rate of MMR vaccination is on the decline.
Do vaccines cause SIDS? No, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cases have fallen by ~50% in recent years, whereas the number of vaccines given in the US has risen.
Great information about the vaccine schedule and what disease each vaccine protects against.
Along with providing valuable information, this site has videos of what it’s like to be affected or have a family member affected by a vaccine preventable disease.
Fascination information about the history of vaccines and the terrible diseases they were developed to protect us against.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Amazing information about each vaccine preventable disease. Also has a great section on how to evaluate scientific information and studies.
For parents and people of all ages, this website provides timely, accurate, and factual information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Vaccines save lives!
Informative website about immunizations by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This information is written by pediatricians.