Get Your Child Vaccinated Now

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has received reports of 241 mumps (confirmed/probable) cases in 31 Kansas counties to date. Local health departments are also investigating an additional 36 patients with potential symptoms of mumps. Cases originally recorded as having been in Sherman County were actually in Sheridan County.

Iowa health officials are investigating case of mumps as well as operating emergency child vaccination centers to prevent more cases of the potentially deadly disease.       

And the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting mumps cases in an increasing number of states.       

Have you had your children vaccinated? If not, you are taking a big risk with your children's lives and the lives of the children in your children's neighborhood and even school.       

Before vaccines became widely used, infectious diseases killed thousands of children and adults each year in the United States.

In the 1964-1965 rubella (German measles) epidemic, there were 12.5-million cases. Of the 20,000 infants born with congenital rubella syndrome, 11,600 were deaf, 3,580 were blind, and 1,800 were mentally retarded. In 1999, there were only 238 cases.       

Before 1963, more than 3-million cases of measles and 500 deaths from measles were reported each year. In 1999, there were only 86 cases.       

In 1952, polio paralyzed more than 21,000 people. Polio has virtually been eliminated from the North American continent.       

In the early 1940s, there was an average of 175,000 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) per year, resulting in the deaths of 8,000 children annually.       

But these diseases can return if many parents do not immunize their children.       

"When too many parents opt out of vaccinations," reports Dr. John Clements of the World Health Organization (WHO), "they leave their children exposed to new epidemics."       

Indeed, a 1998 Canadian survey showed that 20 percent of two-year-olds hadn't received all their shots of the DPT vaccine that protects against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (lockjaw); ten percent had not received recommended doses against polio; and five percent hadn't been immunized against measles, mumps and rubella with the MMR vaccine. Only 73 percent had been fully immunized with Hib. An unvaccinated child exposed to any of these diseases is far more likely to contract it.      

So, your child needs to be vaccinated. In fact, the sooner your child is vaccinated against the diseases that caused fatal epidemics in the past, the safer your child and other children will be.       

At birth, infants have immunity to certain diseases because antibodies have passed through the placenta from the mother to the unborn child. After birth, the breastfed baby gets the continued benefits of additional antibodies in breast milk. But in both cases, the immunity is only temporary.       

So, the earlier you get your child immunized, the safer your child will be.       

How does immunization keep your child safe?       

Immunization (vaccination) is a way of creating immunity to certain diseases - by using small amounts of a killed or weakened microorganism that causes the particular disease.       

Microorganisms can be viruses, such as the measles virus, or they can be bacteria, such as pneumococcus. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to react as if there were a real infection - it fends off the "infection" and remembers the organism so that it can fight it quickly should it enter the body later.       

How safe are the vaccines?       

Frequently, there are claims and rumors that the vaccines harm children including giving children the same illnesses the vaccines are supposed to protect the child from.       

This is far from true.       

Because the components of vaccines are weakened or killed, or in some cases only parts of the microorganism are used, it's unlikely to cause any serious illness. Some vaccines may cause mild reactions, such as soreness where the shot was given or fever, but serious reactions are rare.       

The risks of vaccinations are small in comparison to the health risks associated with the diseases vaccines are intended to prevent.

So, you really have no excuse not to have your child immunized.       

What immunizations should your child have?       

The following vaccinations and schedules are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please note that some variations are acceptable and that changes in recommendations frequently occur as new vaccines are developed. Your child's doctor will determine the best vaccinations and schedule for your child.       

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that infects the liver. Those who are infected can become lifelong carriers of the virus and may develop long-term problems such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or cancer of the liver.       

Hepatitis B vaccine usually is given as a series of three injections. The first shot is given to infants shortly after birth. If the mother of a newborn carries the hepatitis B virus in her blood, the infant needs to receive the first shot within 12 hours after birth. If a newborn's mother shows no evidence of HBV in her blood, the infant may receive the shot any time prior to leaving the hospital. It may also be delayed until the 4- or 8-week visit to the child's doctor.       

If the first shot is given shortly after birth, the second shot is given at 1 to 4 months and the third at 6 to 18 months. For infants who don't receive the first shot until 4 to 8 weeks, the second shot is given at 3 to 4 months and the third at 6 to 18 months. In either case, the second and third shots are usually given in conjunction with other routine childhood immunizations.       

The hepatitis B vaccine probably creates lifelong immunity. Infants who receive the HBV series should be protected from hepatitis B infection not only throughout their childhood but also into the adult years. Eliminating the risk of HBV infections also decreases risk for cirrhosis of the liver, chronic liver disease, and liver cancer. Young adults and adolescents should also receive the vaccine if they did not as infants.       

Serious problems associated with receiving the HBV vaccine are rare. Problems that do occur tend to be minor, such as fever or redness or tenderness at the injection site.       

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) protects against pneumococcal infections. The bacterium is the leading cause of serious infections, including pneumonia, blood infections, and bacterial meningitis.       

Children under 2 years old are most susceptible to serious pneumococcal infections. The pneumococcus bacterium is spread through person-to-person contact. The vaccine not only prevents the infection in children who receive it, it also helps stop its spread.

PCV immunizations are given as a series of four injections starting at 2 months of age and following at 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months. Children who miss the first dose or may have missed subsequent doses due to vaccine shortage should still receive the vaccine, and your child's doctor can give you a modified schedule for immunization.       

The vaccine protects children for at least 3 years. The most serious infections affect children younger than 2 years old, and the vaccine will protect them when they're at their greatest risk. PCV is also recommended for children between 2 years and 5 years of age who have: sickle cell anemia. a damaged spleen or no spleen, HIV/AIDS, a disease that affects the immune system, such as diabetes or cancer and to receive medications that affect the immune system, such as steroids or chemotherapy       

The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria - a serious infection of the throat that can block the airway and cause severe breathing difficulty - tetanus (lockjaw) - a nerve disease, which can occur at any age, caused by toxin-producing bacteria contaminating a wound – and pertussis (whooping cough) - a respiratory illness with cold symptoms that progress to severe coughing (the "whooping" sound occurs when the child breathes in deeply after a severe coughing bout); serious complications of pertussis can occur in children under 1 year of age, and those under 6 months old are especially susceptible.       

DTaP immunizations are given as a series of five injections and are usually administered at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years (before starting school). After the initial series of immunizations, a vaccine called Td (the booster for tetanus and diphtheria) should be given at ages 11 to 12 if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of DTaP. Then, Td boosters are recommended every 10 years.       

Use of the DTaP vaccine has virtually eliminated diphtheria and tetanus in childhood and has markedly reduced the number of pertussis cases.       

The vaccine frequently causes mild side effects: fever, mild crankiness, tiredness, loss of appetite, and tenderness, redness, or swelling in the area where the shot was given. Seizures following DTaP are usually associated with high fever. Most of these side effects result from the pertussis component of the vaccine. Severe complications caused by DTaP immunization are rare. Most children have little or no problem.       

Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria were the leading cause of meningitis in children until the Hib vaccine became available.       

The Hib vaccine is given by injection at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months (however, some Hib vaccines are available that do not require a dose at 6 months). A booster dose is given at 12 to 15 months.       

Long-term protection from Haemophilus influenzae type b occurs in more than 90% of infants receiving three doses of the vaccine. Those immunized have protection against meningitis, pneumonia, pericarditis (an infection of the membrane covering the heart), and infections of the blood, bones, and joints caused by the bacteria.       

Minor problems, such as redness or tenderness where the shot was given, may occur. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be given for pain relief.       

Polio is a viral infection that can result in permanent paralysis.       

The inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is usually given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years before entering school.       

Until recently, the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was given in the United States. Updated recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices now call for IPV injections. This change eliminates the previous small risk of developing polio after receiving the live oral polio vaccine.       

Protection against polio occurs in more than 95% of the children immunized.       

Side effects include fever and redness or soreness at the site of injection.       

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract.       

These groups, who are at increased risk of flu-related complications, should be given the flu shot every year to protect against influenza (the flu) children 6 to 23 months old, any child or adult with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and HIV and AIDS, children - from 6 months to 18 years - on long-term aspirin therapy, anyone age 65 and older, women who will be pregnant during the flu season, anyone who lives or works with infants under 6 months old, residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, health-care personnel who have direct contact with patients, out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of anyone in any of these high-risk groups       

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously recommended that only certain high-risk groups be vaccinated during the flu season because the flu shot was in short supply. This year, the CDC recommended that people in high-risk groups be vaccinated first (before Oct. 24), with those not in high-risk groups receiving them after that. Although there is technically not a shortage of the vaccine, delays in distribution have made it temporarily unavailable in some areas - talk with your doctor about vaccine availability.       

For children fewer than 9 who are getting a flu shot for the first time, it's given in two separate shots 1 month apart. It can take up to 1 or 2 weeks after the shot for the body to build up protection to the flu.       

Another non-shot option called the nasal mist vaccine came on the market in 2003 and is now approved for use in healthy 5- to 49-year-olds. But this nasal mist isn't for everyone, and can't be used by high-risk children and adults or pregnant women.       

The flu vaccine reduces the average person's chances of catching the flu by up to 80% during the season. Getting the shot before the flu season is in full force gives the body a chance to build up immunity to, or protection from, the virus.       

The shot is usually offered between September and mid-November. Although you can get a flu shot well into flu season, it's best to try to get it earlier rather than later, if your child's doctor thinks it's necessary. However, even as late as January there are still 2 to 3 months left in the flu season, so it's still a good idea to get protection.       

Even if you or your child got the vaccine last year, that won't protect you from getting the flu this year, because the protection wears off and flu viruses constantly change. That's why the vaccine is updated each year to include the most current strains of the virus.

Given as one injection in the upper arm, the flu shot contains killed flu viruses that will not cause your child to get the flu, but will cause your child's body to fight off infection by the live flu virus. Getting a shot of the killed virus causes a person to become protected against that particular type of live flu virus if he or she comes into contact with it.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). MMR vaccinations are given by injection in two doses. The first is administered at age 12 to 15 months; the second generally is given prior to school entry at age 4 to 6 years.       

Measles, mumps, and rubella are infections that can lead to significant illness. More than 95% of children receiving MMR will be protected from the three diseases throughout their lives.       

Serious problems are rare. Potential mild to moderate adverse effects include rash, fever, swollen cheeks, febrile seizures, and mild joint pain.       

The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox (varicella), a common childhood viral illness.       

The varicella vaccine is given by injection between the ages of 12 and 18 months. Older children who have not had chickenpox may also receive the vaccine. Children 13 years or older would need two vaccines at least 1 month apart.       

The varicella vaccine prevents the severe illness in 95% of the children who receive it. It's up to 85% effective in preventing mild illness. If a vaccinated child does get chickenpox, he or she generally has a mild case.       

Serious reactions are extremely rare. Possible mild effects are tenderness and redness where the shot was given, fever, fatigue, and a varicella-like illness. A rash can occur where the shot was given or elsewhere on the body up to 1 month after the injection. It may last for several days but will disappear on its own without treatment.       

The meningitis vaccine protects against meningococcal disease, a serious bacterial infection that can lead to bacterial meningitis.

The vaccine is recommended for kids who are 11 years old, and for kids who are 15 years old, or entering high school or college, who have not yet had the vaccine. It's also recommended for those who are entering college and will be living in a dormitory setting.

Bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord, is a rare but highly contagious disease that can spread rapidly among kids who are in close quarters. It can be life-threatening if it's not promptly treated. The MCV4 vaccine protects kids against the disease for up to 10 years.       

Some of the most common side effects from this vaccine are swelling, redness, and pain at the site of the injection, along with headache, fever, fatigue, and a rash.       

Now, that may sound like many shots but many of the vaccines can be given in combination so your child has many fewer shots than the listing of the separate vaccines would indicate.       

Yes, your child will still cry and fuss over getting his shots.       

Yes, the shots will still take time from your busy schedule.       

But as uneasy as getting vaccinated may make both you and your child, remember that immunization is one of the best means of protecting your child against contagious diseases.       

Get your child shot as soon as possible.

~ SafetyIssues Staff Writer