Vaccines for young children have been a big topic of discussion recently. With some parents deciding not to vaccinate, it’s vital to spread factual information. Young children have a vaccine schedule they should stick to. Vaccines are completely safe, have no adverse side effects, and help keep your child happy and healthy! Here is an overview of some of the vaccines your child should receive.

Chicken Pox

The chickenpox vaccine is one that many parents question because they believe chicken pox isn’t that serious. While that’s true for some children, other children have severe symptoms that lead to hospitalization. Infants can’t be vaccinated themselves, so they depend on older children around them to be vaccinated. Even before your child starts school, they could come into contact with chicken pox, so don’t wait to vaccinate!

DTaP

This vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can lead to debilitating symptoms for children patients 1 year or older. The DTaP vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. These diseases are severe, especially for young babies. Whooping cough is extremely contagious, which is why it’s so important to begin the vaccinations at 2 months.

Flu Vaccine

At 6 months of age, a child can receive the flu vaccine. After 6 months of age, they should get the flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine lowers your child’s risk of contracting the flu by 80%. The flu can result in dehydration, fever, vomiting, and more. If your child gets the flu, they may even require hospitalization to manage their symptoms.

Poliovirus

This vaccine is also given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Polio is a disease that has been eradicated for decades, but that doesn’t mean you can stop vaccinating for it! Diseases that have been eliminated depend on the ongoing use of vaccinations to stay eliminated. Herd immunity, or the majority of children being vaccinated, helps to prevent the disease from coming back.

Vaccines for your child are a quick and easy way to protect them from harmful diseases. Many vaccines are even available in nasal sprays or oral versions, so your child doesn’t have to get a shot!

If you have any specific questions about your child getting vaccinated, always double check with their doctor. Check out the full recommended vaccine schedule here. This list also tracks the vaccines your child receives, so you know they aren’t missing any!