Immunizations - Introduction

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Click the icon to see an image of antibodies.

The harmless infectious component in the vaccine teaches the immune system to recognize the full-strength, live, and harmful substance or organism. The immune system than knows to attack it real exposure occurs. The antibodies produced in response to the vaccine remain in the body, preventing future illness from such an exposure. This is called immunity.

Combination Vaccines. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that health care providers use, whenever possible, combination vaccines instead of individual components. Combination vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP), and for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), have been available for many years.

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New combinations that cover up to 5 vaccinations are being developed and are proving to be safe and well tolerated in infants as young as 2 months. For example, one that combines DTaP, hepatitis B, and the polio vaccine (Pediarix) is available It is as effective as the individual vaccines when given to children ages 6 weeks to 6 years.

There is some concern that increasing use of combinations may reduce the potency of some of the vaccines. Some parents are also worried about increased side effects. Studies to date, however, are reporting that combinations are effective and safe.

Passive Immunity. Another form of protection against disease is called passive immunity. This approach uses immune globulin, which are blood products containing antibodies. Immune globulin is generally used for people who cannot be vaccinated, when immediate protection is required, or to prevent severe complications of the disease. In some circumstances, passive immunity can interfere with active vaccinations, particularly live-virus vaccines. Therefore, if possible, these two immunization types should not be administered within weeks or even months of each other.

General Information on Side Effects. Vaccines can have side effects, which are nearly always mild, such as swelling at the injection site or fever. There have been a number of reports in the popular press about alarming side effects in many vaccines. Anti-vaccine groups vocally oppose immunizations in children. Although it is true that no vaccine is 100% safe, childhood infections have not been wiped out. Without immunization, parents risk exposing their children to diseases that in the past have killed millions of young children.