10 Questions & Answers About How to Help Protect Your Child From Getting Deadly Diseases.

The National Immunization Campaign a partnership of The Children's Action Network (a project of the Tides Foundation) and American Academy of Pediatrics

It' not always easy to know how to keep your child from getting sick.
So if you have a young child, read this. It will help you keep your child healthy, and it will help answer the ten questions most parents ask about vaccinations.

And remember, vaccination is just one very important part of your child's total health care. Make sure you have a regular doctor or clinic that knows your child and get regular check-ups even when your child is not sick.

Why should you get your child vaccinated?

Your child needs vaccinations (shots) to protect them against very bad diseases.

Today, there is a measles epidemic in America. Many children are catching other dangerous diseases like whooping cough. If your child doesn't get vaccinated at the right times, your child can get very sick and even die.

What can happen if you don't got your child vaccinated?

Without vaccinations, your child can catch diseases that can cause rashes, fevers, coughing, choking, brain damage, heart problems, crippling, deafness and blindness.

Do vaccinations work?

Yes. If your child gets the right vaccinations at the right times, you can reduce the chances of getting these diseases.

When should your child get vaccinated?

Many parents think that children don't need vaccinations until they are ready to enter school. That's not true.

Children need to get vaccinated when they are babies. Children need most of their vaccinations during their first two years, starting when they are two months old.

Children who are behind on their shots need to get vaccinated to "catch up" and be protected.

Older children and teenagers also need vaccinations. The "Vaccination Schedule" on this page tells you when you should get your child vaccinated. Check with your doctor at your local clinic to make sure your child is vaccinated on time.

Under the "Vaccination Schedule" is your child's "Vaccination Passport." Use this card or the immunization record provided by your doctor or your state or local health department as a permanent record to keep track of each vaccination your child receives.

Print out and keep both of these cards, and if you have questions, call your doctor or your local public health clinic.

Remember, the very best way to make sure your child gets the vaccinations he or she needs is to make regular visits to your doctor or your health clinic.

What are the vaccinations that your child needs?

Some vaccinations protect against more than one disease. But your child needs all of these vaccinations to stay healthy:

• M-M-R 11 to protect against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles)
  
• Polio vaccine (OPV) to protect against Polio
  
• DTP to protect against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough)
  
• Hib vaccine to protect against Haemophilus influenzae type b (a major cause of meningitis).

Where should you go to get your child vaccinated?

You should get your child vaccinated at your doctor's office, at your community health center, or at your local public or children's health clinic. It's very important for you to have one doctor or clinic where you can go to take care of your child's health needs. If you don't know where to go, call your local public health department or clinic.

What if you don't have the money to pay for vaccinations?

You can get your child vaccinated even if you don't have the money to pay for it. At community health centers, children's clinics and public health clinics, you can get your child vaccinated for free or at a very low cost.

Are vaccinations safe?

Reactions to the vaccines may occur, but they are rarely serious. Remember, the risk in not vaccinating your child is for greater than the risk of a serious reaction.

Do vaccinations hurt?

Sometimes they may hurt a little, and your baby will probably cry for a few minutes. But don't worry. Protecting your child's health is worth a few tears.

If your child is old enough to understand, explain that vaccinations help prevent some very bad diseases. If your child is younger, comfort and play with your baby and remember to reward your child after the vaccination.

Who should you call for more information?

Always contact your doctor, your local public health department, or community health center if your child is sick, if you have health care questions or if you need to know more about vaccinations and your child's health care needs.

Remember, vaccination is an important part of your child' total health care. Vaccinate your child on time. Keep your child's vaccination record up to date. Make sure you have a doctor or a health clinic where they know your child. And be sure to get regular check- ups, even when your child is healthy.

Before it' too late. Vaccinate.

The National Immunization Campaign
With grant support from:
Lederle-Proxis Biologicals
Merck & Co., Inc.
Connaught Laboratories, Inc.
Contributions from:
MCA Inc./Universal
Twentieth Century Fox
Warner Bros.
Additional support from:
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals
The MetPath Foundation
Products donated by:
Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation

The National Immunization Campaign is a project to educate families in America about immunization and to make sure that children - and especially babies - get the vaccinations and regular health care they need. The Campaign is a partnership of the Children's Action Network, an organization of leaders in the entertainment industry, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, in cooperation with business and many other health, government and community organizations.

The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical core and advice of your doctor or your public health clinic. The age at which your child may receive a vaccination con vary depending on medical circumstances.