Vaccines, like those offered by the pediatricians at Children's Physicians in Palm City, Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, help your children avoid serious illnesses. Following the vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics is a simple way to protect your child's health.
Why should my child receive vaccines?
Vaccines prevent your child from developing mumps, measles, whooping cough, chickenpox and other childhood diseases. These illnesses can cause more than just temporary discomfort for children. Some children become very sick and may die or face long-lasting consequences, such as hearing loss or brain damage.
Vaccinating children not only prevents them from becoming sick but stops the disease from spreading throughout the entire community. Mass immunization also protects children who are too young to receive vaccines or can't receive them for health reasons. If most people in the country receive immunizations, the most vulnerable children are much less likely to develop childhood diseases.
Are vaccines dangerous?
News reports and social media posts questioning the safety of vaccines have worried many parents. While no parent wants to do something that could harm their children, vaccines offer a safe, effective way to prevent illnesses from ever occurring.
Vaccines are made with killed or extremely weakened forms of viruses and cannot sicken your child. Although a low fever or fussiness may occur after your child receives an immunization, these side effects are mild and generally last a day or two. Vaccines are only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after they've been thoroughly tested.
What vaccines do my children need?
Your child's Palm Beach Gardens, Palm City, or Jupiter pediatrician will discuss recommended vaccines and the vaccine schedule with you before your child receives a vaccine. Vaccines recommended during childhood include:
- Polio
- Seasonal Influenza
- Rotavirus
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
- HBV (Haemophilus Influenza Type B)
- DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus and Whooping Cough)
- Pneumococcal (Protection from Pneumonia, Blood Infections and Meningitis)
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- Meningococcal (Bacterial Meningitis)
- Hep A & B (Hepatitis A and B)
Does your child need immunizations? Schedule an appointment with the pediatricians at Children's Physicians by calling (561) 626-4000 for the Palm Beach Gardens, FL, office, (561) 743-9000 for the Jupiter office, or (772) 219-4444 for the Palm City office.