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Infant immunizations

Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases.

Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, so it is critical they be protected through immunization. Vaccines have been one of the most important breakthroughs in medicine says Dr. Kathleen Lake, assistant professor of pediatrics at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. She says that's the reason small pox and polio have disappeared in the U.S. She explains the current vaccine schedule for infants and children.

SOUND BITE: "The first vaccine is generally given in the newborn nursery. And that’s the first hepatitus B vaccine, so the newborns usually get one. And there are vaccines that we give at the 2, 4 and 6-month physicals. Vaccines at the 12-month and 15-month physicals. Then we give boosters before kindergarten, when they're around age 5 and then high schoolers, at this point in time have to have a tetanus and diptheria booster."

Some of the other diseases that children are vaccinated for include meningitis, polio, whooping cough, chicken pox, mumps, measles and influenza. Dr. Lake says that vaccines given to children are very safe.

SOUND BITE: "What I tell my parents, who come to me with their children, is I give all these vaccines to my children. I have no hesitation. I wouldn’t even think of not giving them. If I thought a vaccine was dangerous, I would not give it to my child. And I think that’s the best word of encouragement I can give to parents."

If you have questions about vaccines, talk to your child's physician, who can explain why childhood vaccinations are important.