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Immunizations

ASDs Family Handout—Vaccines
Some parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may worry about a possible link between vaccines and ASDs. In fact, one recent survey said that 54% of parents of children with ASDs thought ASDs were caused by immunizations. The consensus of health professionals based on scientific research is that there is no evidence that vaccines cause ASDs. Despite these scientific data, parents continue to worry that vaccines may cause children at risk for ASDs to develop symptoms at the time many childhood vaccinations are given. Some common questions that parents have include
Chickenpox Vaccine, The
(Please see the related Vaccine Information Statement, The Chickenpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know)
Chickenpox Vaccine, The: What You Need to Know (VIS)
Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a common childhood disease. It is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants and adults.
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccines): What You Need to Know (VIS)
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.
Haemophilus influenzae Type b
(Please see the related Vaccine Information Statement, Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine: What You Need to Know)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): What You Need to Know (VIS)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease is a serious disease caused by bacteria. It usually affects children under 5 years old. It can also affect adults with certain medical conditions.
Hepatitis A Vaccine: What You Need to Know (VIS)
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the stool of people with hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B Vaccine: What Parents Need to Know
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Lifelong HBV infection can lead to liver cancer or scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). More than 1 million people in the United States are living with lifelong HBV infection. Anyone can get infected with HBV, including your child.
Hepatitis B Vaccine: What You Need to Know (VIS)
Hepatitis B is a serious infection that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis C
About 4 million Americans are infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and many do not even know it. Anyone can get infected with HCV, including children.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is an epidemic of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the United States. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is most common in men and women in their late teens and early 20s. Because so many types of HPV have no symptoms, it is easily spread between sex partners.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Cervarix®: What you need to know (VIS)
Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Gardasil®-9 (VIS)
Gardasil-9 prevents many cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, including:
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Gardasil®: What You Need to Know (VIS)
Many Vaccine Information Statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis.
Immunizations: What You Need To Know
Immunizations have helped children stay healthy for more than 50 years. They are safe and they work. In fact, serious side effects are no more common than those from other types of medication. Vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%! Yet many parents still question their safety because of misinformation they've received. That's why it's important to turn to a reliable and trusted source, including your child's doctor, for information. The following are answers to common questions parents have about immunizations.
Importance of Vaccines, The
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Immunizations are effective and safe, and have reduced the effects of many diseases in this part of the world. Please don't hesitate to immunize your child.
Influenza Vaccine (Inactivated or Recombinant) (VIS)
Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May.
Influenza Vaccine (Inactivated or Recombinant) (VIS)
With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of reactions. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible.
Influenza Vaccine (Live, Intranasal) (VIS)
Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May.
Meningococcal ACWY Vaccines — MenACWY and MPSV4 (VIS)
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2 through 18 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord.
Meningococcal Disease: Information for Teens and College Students
Certain teens and young adults have a higher risk of getting meningococcal disease. College students, especially freshmen who live in dorms and military recruits, are at an increased risk compared with others in this age group. It's important to know how to protect yourself because meningococcal disease can be deadly. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about this serious illness, safe and effective vaccines, and how to stay healthy.
MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) Vaccine: What You Need to Know (VIS)
Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases. Before vaccines they were very common, especially among children.
National Immunization Awareness Month
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: August is National Immunization Awareness Month and a good time to remind you to stay up to date on your child's immunizations. While many are given during the first two years of life, some require a booster dose in later years to remain effective and protect against many infectious diseases.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: What you need to know (VIS)
Many Vaccine Information Statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis
Pneumococcal Infections
Pneumococcus is a type of bacteria that can attack different parts of the body and cause many serious infections including
Polio Vaccine: What You Need to Know (VIS)
Polio is a disease caused by a virus. It enters the body through the mouth. Usually it does not cause serious illness. But sometimes it causes paralysis (can't move arm or leg), and it can cause meningitis (irritation of the lining of the brain). It can kill people who get it, usually by paralyzing the muscles that help them breathe.
Protect Yourself and Help Protect Your Baby: Information for New Moms on the Tdap Vaccine
Congratulations on your new baby! Your baby is the greatest gift you will ever receive. One of your biggest jobs as a parent is to keep your child safe and healthy. One way do this is to make sure your children get all the immunizations they need to protect them from different diseases. But did you know that there is an immunization that you as a parent should get to keep your children safe?
Rotavirus Vaccine: What You Need to Know (VIS)
Rotavirus is a virus that causes diarrhea, mostly in babies and young children. The diarrhea can be severe, and lead to dehydration. Vomiting and fever are also common in babies with rotavirus.
Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
All flu viruses cause a respiratory illness that can last a week or more. Flu symptoms include
Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria) VIS
Tetanus and diphtheria are very serious diseases. They are rare in the United States today, but people who do become infected often have severe complications. Td vaccine is used to protect adolescents and adults from both of these diseases.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis): What You Need to Know (VIS)
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are very serious diseases. Tdap vaccine can protect us from these diseases. And, Tdap vaccine given to pregnant women can protect newborn babies against pertussis.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis): What You Need to Know (VIS)
Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis.
Your Child’s First Vaccines
Signs and symptoms include a thick coating in the back of the throat that can make it hard to breathe.