Immunizations and your Children

Infants and children are vulnerable to potentially life-threatening diseases due to their underdeveloped immune systems. While newborns can receive some antibodies from their mothers through breastmilk, vaccines are also an important way parents can help protect their child and keep him or her healthy.

Vaccines work by helping build a person’s immune system. Vaccines imitate different diseases and allow your child’s immune system to develop the necessary defenses needed to prevent future infections.

Research suggest that some parents are concerned about potential side effects from vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted research to ensure that vaccines are safe for children and that such vaccines do not cause disorders such as autism. In fact, many vaccines have actually helped prevent serious diseases that were once rampant in the United States and around the world.

Governor Jerry Brown has also taken a step further to protect children when he signed a bill on June 30, 2015 that requires parents to vaccinate their children before entering public or private school. The goal was to reduce the risk of exposure in the classroom when children interact with one another.

Below is the recommended immunization schedule for children 0-6 years of age.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/child-adolescent.html#schedule
https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations/infant-immunization-schedule#descriptions