Measles Outbreak Highlights Importance of Infant Immunizations
Measles cases are on the rise in the United States and Canada. Getting vaccinated for measles and other infectious diseases is the best protection.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. If traveling, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends infants 6–11 months old receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. The child will still need to get the two regular doses to be fully protected.
There are other vaccines, or immunizations, that help protect babies from diseases. They also help prevent babies and children from spreading illness to others. Make sure your infant stays up to date with vaccines to be healthy.
Q: How do vaccines work?
A: Vaccines help our immune systems recognize illnesses. They can keep people from getting sick or make you not feel as sick. They also protect against future exposure. Vaccines help create community immunity, or herd immunity. This protects people who cannot be vaccinated due to age, health conditions, or other reasons.
Q: Are vaccines safe?
A: Vaccines are safe and effective. They lower the risk of serious illnesses such as measles, influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Getting vaccinated lowers the risk of getting these diseases. Vaccines also lower the chance of spreading a disease.
Q: What vaccines should my child get?
Children's recommended vaccines offer protection early in life when babies are more at risk and before it’s likely they will be exposed to germs and diseases.
Vaccines for illnesses such as diphtheria, rotavirus, polio, tetanus, whooping cough, and others are given in a baby’s first year of life. Ask your child’s pediatrician about the vaccinations they need. Ask your child’s pediatrician about catching up on missed vaccinations. Your child isn’t fully vaccinated against a disease until they get all recommended doses.
You can also view the recommended updated vaccination schedule for children up to 17 years old from The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC.
Q: Can vaccines cause side effects?
A: Like any medication, vaccines can cause side effects. Some people may have mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site, headache, fever, or fussiness in babies. These side effects usually go away within a few days and are not serious.
Talk with your child’s pediatrician if you have questions about vaccinations. Keeping up with children's well care visits and vaccinations helps them grow up healthy. If you need help finding a provider, visit fideliscare.org/findadoctor.