Childhood Vaccination Concerns; Get the Facts
Vaccines can help protect children from getting many infectious diseases that can make them very sick, become disabled, or even die. Vaccines "jump-start" the body's protective defense system by showing it a piece of a weakened or killed form of a particular virus or bacteria. This prompts the body to program special cells designed to fight these specific viruses or bacteria that may cause disease in your child when exposed to them in the future.
When bringing your child in for vaccination...
- Tell the health care professional about any allergies, medications, or illnesses, or any previous suspected reaction to any vaccine, since they may affect your child's response to vaccination.
- Keep a written vaccination record for your child in case you change health care professionals, move, or forget which vaccines were given and when they were administered.
- Help protect your children against illness. Make sure they get their vaccinations.
- Get the facts. Your child's health care professional can address any concerns or questions you may have.
Some parents have questions about having their children vaccinated because of things they've "heard" regarding certain vaccines. This Web page discusses some of the concerns and the facts about vaccines. You should always ask your child's health care professional if you have any questions about vaccines, including the vaccines your child should get and when.
CONCERN |
FACT |
|---|---|
Vaccinations don't work. |
Vaccines are an effective means of preventing certain infectious diseases. |
Examples of successful vaccination programs include smallpox, polio, measles, rubella (German measles), pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and diphtheria vaccines.
CONCERN |
FACT |
|---|---|
Vaccines prevent diseases that no longer exist. |
If a particular disease exists anywhere in the world, your child could be at risk. |
Smallpox is the only disease that has been wiped out worldwide. In the case of all other vaccine-preventable diseases, the failure to get vaccinated increases the risk for the diseases for both the individual and society.
CONCERN |
FACT |
|---|---|
Vaccine side effects are worse than the diseases they prevent. |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers vaccination safer than accepting the risk for diseases these vaccines prevent. |
Most side effects are minor and involve temporary soreness, swelling, and redness at the injection site and/or fever; however, serious side effects may occur.
Any questions and other concerns you might have should be discussed with your child's health care professional before the vaccine is prescribed.
CONCERN |
FACT |
|---|---|
The vaccine could give my child the very disease it's suppose to prevent. |
It's unusual for a vaccine to cause the disease it's designed to prevent. |
Any questions and other concerns you might have should be discussed with your child's health care professional before the vaccine is prescribed.
CONCERN |
FACT |
|---|---|
Vaccines can cause SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). |
There is no proof that vaccines cause SIDS. |
Any questions and other concerns you might have should be discussed with your child's health care professional before the vaccine is prescribed.
Indication
Prevnar® is indicated for active immunization of infants and toddlers against serious invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, including bacteremia (bloodstream infection) and meningitis (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) caused by the seven serotypes in the vaccine. The seven serotypes (strains) of S. pneumoniae included in the vaccine (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F) are the strains that most commonly cause these serious diseases in children. The routine schedule is 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age.
Prevnar® is also indicated for immunization of infants and toddlers against otitis media (ear infections) caused by the seven serotypes in the vaccine. Protection against ear infections is expected to be less than that for invasive disease.
As with any vaccine, Prevnar® may not protect all individuals receiving the vaccine from serious invasive disease caused by S. pneumoniae. This vaccine should not be used for treatment of active infection.
Important
Safety Information
Ask your child's health care provider about the risks and benefits of Prevnar® and if Prevnar® is right for your child.
In clinical studies, the most frequently reported adverse events included injection site reactions, fever
(
38ºC/100.4ºF), irritability, drowsiness, restless sleep, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.
Risks are associated with all vaccines, including Prevnar®. Hypersensitivity to any vaccine component, including diphtheria toxoid, is a contraindication to its use. Prevnar® does not protect 100% of children vaccinated. Immunization with Prevnar® does not substitute for routine diphtheria immunization.
Please see Prescribing Information.
