fbpx

What Do I Need to Know About Vaccines?

What’s A Vaccine? 

Vaccines are dead or weakened viruses or bacteria introduced into your body where your immune system is meant to recognize them and create antibodies to defend against future infection.

Ancient History

Ancient civilizations in India and China were believed to have inoculated their children against smallpox, 1,000 years ago, using a process called “variolation.”

Early Attempts

Physician Edward Jenner first poked around at the idea of vaccines in 1700, when he noticed that milkmaids who’d previously caught cowpox didn’t later catch smallpox.

Eureka Moment

Jenner’s observations led to the first smallpox vaccine in 1798.

Success Stories

Subsequent vaccines are credited with decreasing cases of diphtheria, measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, rubella, smallpox, and tetanus by an estimated 92 to 100 percent.

Hope

Researchers believe that a viable malaria vaccine could be available for children in the developing world as early as 2017.

Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes recommendations on which vaccines we should all get at CDC.gov.

Oops!

Sometimes you or your child can’t receive a vaccine because you’re sick or you just slip up and forget. Vaccine.gov includes a catch-up immunization schedule to get you back on track.

Heads-Up

It’s worth mentioning to your healthcare provider if you or your child have allergies to eggs, gelatin, or yeast (which may be found in certain vaccines) or latex (which may be used in syringes or vaccine vials).

Heads-Up Again

If you plan to travel outside the country, ask your healthcare provider about special vaccines to help protect from diseases present in the areas you plan to visit.

Ouch!

While usually given through injection, some vaccines can be given orally or as a nasal spray. If your child is traumatized by shots, ask your pediatrician if these are an option.

Distract ‘Em

Surprisingly, getting your child to cough or pretend they’re blowing out birthday candles can help relieve injection pain, and so can other distractions like cartoons, books, or toys.

Keep It

Your doctor might keep only electronic records. Maintain a paper record of vaccinations for your own reference. You may need proof of vaccination for your child’s school, your job, or a childcare situation.

Did You Know?

If an ant is infected with a fungus, other ants in their colony lick them to spread the infection throughout the colony, making fellow ants immune to the fungus.

You May Also Like

Healthy Hiking

Healthy Hiking

BY SYDNI ELLIS Sun-dappled paths form a dusty ribbon through the trees. Water in ...

How Can You Prevent Back Pain?

Make It Stop! Top Methods for Spine Pain Relief

By Pamela Hammonds Spine pain can range from a small twinge that temporarily sidelines ...

Finding Fitness

BY AUDREY SELLERS Every year, about half of people who make New Year’s resolutions ...

Happy & Healthy

By Christi Blevins “FIT” is an old acronym used to talk about fitness. It ...

Cancer Yesterday and Today—How Treatments Have Changed

Gone are the days when hearing the word cancer from your doctor meant an ...