The Hows and Whys of Baby Vaccines

Thanks to vaccines, many once-common childhood illnesses have virtually been eliminated. But because we don't see children suffering or dying from these diseases anymore, we don't fear them the way our parents and grandparents did. Instead, the vaccines scare us. Seventy percent of American parents who don't vaccinate their kids sincerely believe vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they prevent, according to the National Network for Immunization Information (NNII). Many question whether they contain harmful ingredients that will cause their child to have a bad reaction, get a serious disease, or become autistic. Here are the answers to your most pressing vaccine questions.

By Loraine M. Stern, MD, and Norine Dworkin-McDaniel

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How do vaccines work?

Babies are born with some antibodies (infection-fighting substances) in their bloodstream that were passed on to them in the womb from their mother. But as those inherited antibodies decrease in the first year of life, a baby must develop new antibodies and other infection-fighting substances. When he gets a cold or the flu, for instance, baby develops antibodies against the illness that protect him from getting the same virus as easily again.

However, there are some serious diseases you wouldn't want your child to catch just so he can become resistant to them. That's where vaccines come in.

Vaccines teach a baby's immune system how to recognize and fight off specific infections. Most vaccines are made from an inactive form of a virus, though a few (i.e., the measles vaccine) are made from a weakened form of a live virus. These vaccines don't cause disease but can stimulate a baby's body to recognize it.

Next: Why get vaccinated for diseases no one ever gets?

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Comments

Comments (9)

shapiroe25 wrote:

The 1 in 1 millionth chance of encephalitis from vaccination does not compare to the real chance of dying from it from the disease--WHICH IS A REAL CHANCE thanks to those selfish enough to not vaccinate or delay. Did you ever think your child could contract Polio? Pertussis? Well they can--just see the rates in Europe and South America and California. SCARY DISEASES WITH A REAL CHANCE OF PERMANENT DAMAGE OR DEATH! Vaccines save lives.

2/16/2012 07:54:46 PM Report Abuse

shapiroe25 wrote:

As a pediatrician/mom, shame on you for not vaccinating. I would love to know where you live so I can be sure my child's health never has to be risked by being around your child. When you watch a baby die from Pertussis or have children become sterile from mumps, you would see the light. Vaccines have been proven again and again to be safe and LIFE SAVING! (vaccines.org has the full list of 26 thorough scientific studies).

2/16/2012 07:52:59 PM Report Abuse

HAL wrote:

Wow, such 1 sided information. Makes me really glad our dr doesn't even START to vaccinate until age 2. Even then she believes MOST are NOT necessary and does not require them, but will do them if the parents wants them.

9/27/2011 05:04:59 PM Report Abuse

plmaxfield wrote:

This article is not about learning whether or not to vaccinate, it only has one side of the issue. How is that informative? I have chosen to vaccinate most of my children, though I have felt a bit uncomfortable with it. However, my baby has allergic reactions to many things, some of which I have not identified. My instincts tell me not to give him any more immunizations. Those instincts are not respected in the doctor's office, so I have simply quit taking him to well baby visits.

7/25/2011 11:42:22 AM Report Abuse

kmacirs wrote:

Uh huh, so where can one find reliable credible information?

12/7/2010 01:30:07 PM Report Abuse

shimmery315 wrote:

Wow, I will not be renewing my subscription for this magazine. Educate before you vaccinate!!

11/11/2010 01:56:01 PM Report Abuse

ehissong wrote:

Educate yourself on each vaccine. What are the side effects, causes, and prognosis? Although I feel that vaccines are necessary, I hand picked which ones I felt were most important due to my research.

9/7/2010 01:40:49 PM Report Abuse

janelleturtle wrote:

well said mstanecki! Educate before you vaccinatete! I didn't educate myself till i was pregnant with my 4th, we are so fortunate that our first 3 children had no serious reactions to vaccinations, but even so our youngest is by far our healthiest child with the strongest immune system!

8/17/2010 01:38:14 PM Report Abuse

mstanecki wrote:

Parents NEED to do research in order to make INFORMED decisions regarding vaccines. Mortality rates dropped more than 90% before vaccines were introduced due to better nutrition, cleaner water & improved sanitation, not to vaccines. Numerous sites are dedicated to educating parents on vaccines-both pro and con. Before a child reaches age 2, he/she will have received 32 vaccinations on [the CDCs] schedule; 7 vaccines injected into a 13 lb, 2-month old infant equals 70 doses in a 130 lb adult!

7/6/2010 02:30:32 PM Report Abuse

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