Did you know, vaccines should be given before birth? It is recommended that women get certain vaccines, such as Influenza, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis while pregnant since newborns are too young to receive their own doses of certain vaccines. Vaccines given to a pregnant woman can offer the baby some protection after they are born. However, in the hours following birth a baby should receive their first vaccine, the Hepatitis B vaccine.
After the Hepatitis B vaccine there are many additional vaccines that newborns through children age six should be receiving. Vaccines given during this time protect against:
- Chickenpox
- Diphtheria
- ·Haemphilus influenza type b
- Hepatitis A
- Influenza
- Measles
- Pertussis
- Polio
- Pneumococcal
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- and Tetanus
It is important to receive these vaccines because some of the complications from these diseases can lead to death. For example, some Measles complications include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), pneumonia (lung inflammation), and death. Hepatitis B can have serious complications too such as, chronic liver infection, liver failure, and liver cancer which puts people at a high risk for death.
As one becomes a preteen and teenager there are additional vaccines that should be received. Some of these vaccines include:
- Influenza
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Meningococcal
- and Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Did you know that HPV helps to prevent cancer? There are also new guidelines that only two doses of the HPV vaccine is needed if certain conditions are met.
Those that are 19 and older should receive:
- Influenza
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Shingles
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Chickenpox
- and HPV vaccines
These vaccines are not given every year, excluding the Influenza vaccine. Adults should check with their healthcare provider to find out which vaccines are recommended for them.
Now that you know which vaccines are recommended, you may be asking yourself why you should vaccinate. In the United States, vaccines have greatly reduced infectious diseases that once routinely harmed or killed many infants, children, and adults. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable disease still exist and can cause illness in people who are not protected by vaccines. Every year, tens of thousands of Americans still suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, and even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. Protect your health and the health of your family. Make sure you and your loved ones are up-to-date on recommended vaccines.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait:
- Many vaccine-preventable diseases are still common in the U.S.
- Those that are not common here are still found in other parts of the world, and can be a threat.
- Some of these diseases are very contagious.
- Any of these diseases could be serious – even for healthy people.
- Some people may be at higher risk for getting some diseases or having more serious illness if they were to get sick, like young children, older adults, and those with certain health conditions.
Vaccines are our best protection against a number of serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other medical experts update vaccine recommendations for children, teens, and adults based on the latest research and evidence-based science on vaccine safety, effectiveness, and patterns of vaccine-preventable diseases.
You have the power to protect yourself and the ones you love. Talk to your healthcare professional about which vaccines are right for you and your family.
For additional information visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines
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Last Update: Aug 15, 2017 9:44 am CDT
