Currently, there’s a heated debate raging over whether or not immunizing children is detrimental or helpful. Many people are totally against it. Yet, their reasons are often based on common myths about vaccinations. What are these myths? And what other things do you need to know before you have your child vaccinated?

Common Myths About Vaccination

“A vaccine will make my child sick.”

Does the following scenario sound familiar? You went to the doctor, got your flu shot and got sick a few days later. Of course, you swear up and down that it was the flu shot that made you sick. But is that really true?

In the case of a flu vaccine and other inactivated vaccines, only killed influenza viruses are present. These dead germs cannot produce illness. But what about activated vaccines, which contain live viruses? Some children do get what appears to be a mild case of the illness they were vaccinated for. Yet, this can actually be a sign that the vaccine is working. And a full-blown case of the disease or illness is extremely rare.

So, in either case, there’s no need to worry about sickness caused by vaccines.

“Vaccines contain ingredients that could harm my child.”

While some vaccines do contain ingredients such as mercury, formaldehyde and aluminum, they’re not toxic in such low doses. And, whether we realize it or not, we are already exposed to such ingredients in higher doses and in many forms each day.

“There’s no need to be vaccinated for diseases that have essentially been eradicated in the U.S.”

It’s true that little to no cases of polio, diphtheria, rubella and similar diseases have been reported in many years. Yet, history has shown that diseases sometimes resurface out of nowhere. Why not protect your children? Additionally, diseases that are no longer prevalent in the United States may still exist elsewhere. Needless to say, there are 101 ways for these diseases to make their way right to your neighborhood. Why not have a defense just in case?

These are just a few of the concerns that many people have. Yet, many medical professionals agree the vaccinations help far more than they hurt. So what vaccinations do your children need to protect them and when?

Suggested and Required Vaccinations For Children

About one month after birth, your baby should receive the first of his or her vaccinations. By the time they begin kindergarten, they should have been immunized against:

  • Polio
  • Measles, mumps and rubella
  • Tetanus
  • Diphtheria
  • Hepatitis B
  • Pertussis (also known as whooping cough)

Immunization on a timely schedule can prevent your child from coming down with these illnesses. It will also ensure that they are able to start school on time, as schools require the immunization record at the time of enrollment.
Additionally, you may want to consider immunizing your child to protect against chickenpox, Hepatitis A, rotavirus and other diseases.

There’s no doubt that you want what’s best for your children. You want them to thrive physically and in every other way. You don’t want them to be limited by sickness. Boosting their immunity with vaccinations is one way you can keep them healthy and happy as they develop into strong young adults.