Child & Adult Disease Immunizations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention develops an annual vaccination schedule for adults and children, which helps patients and medical professionals better understand who needs to be immunized against specific diseases. The use of immunizations has nearly eradicated some diseases that used to kill thousands of people per year, but some people have concerns about the long-term effects of immunizations on children. It is important to discuss these concerns with a doctor and determine whether the possible benefits outweigh the risks.

What Are Immunizations?

Vaccines are dead or weakened forms of the organisms that cause diseases. When someone is vaccinated, the immune system recognizes these organisms as foreign substances and produces antibodies to fight them. These antibodies remain in the blood, protecting people from getting serious diseases such as mumps and measles.

• Immunizations Overview: This article explains what immunizations are and why they are so important.
• Childhood Immunizations Are Important: This resource explains why it is important for children to receive immunizations.

Childhood Disease Prevention Through Immunization

Children receive immunizations from the time they are born, making it possible to prevent or minimize the effects of contagious illnesses. The first vaccine given to infants is the hepatitis B vaccine. If a child’s mother is hepatitis B surface antigen-positive, then the baby also receives a dose of hepatitis B immune globulin. The second dose of this vaccine is given when a child is 1 to 2 months old. The final dose is given at no earlier than 24 weeks old. The minimum age for a DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccination is 6 weeks of age. The final dose of this vaccination must be given at least six months after the third dose, but it can be given as early as 12 months of age. Children should also receive vaccinations for influenza, pneumonia, inactivated poliovirus, varicella, hepatitis A, meningitis, measles, mumps, and rubella before they reach six years of age.

Older children also need immunizations, but some immunizations are only given to children in high-risk groups or children who need to catch up on their childhood immunizations. All children need the DTaP, meningitis, and influenza vaccines. The CDC also recommends that girls receive three doses of the human papillomavirus vaccination between the ages of 11 and 12. Hepatitis A and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccinations are given to children who have a high risk for developing these diseases.

• Hepatitis B Shots for Babies (PDF): This brochure explains why hepatitis B vaccinations are recommended for young children.
• DTaP Vaccine: This article provides an overview of the DTaP vaccination and explains the benefits of getting this vaccine.
• Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations: This article addresses some of the most common questions people have about childhood immunizations.
• Flu Shots for Kids: This article from the Mayo Clinic explains the types of flu vaccinations available for children.
• Kids’ Vaccine Slashes Meningitis: This article explains why it is so important for kids to receive the HiB vaccination.
• HiB Vaccine (PDF): This resource explains who should get the HiB vaccine and when it should be given.

Adult Immunizations

The CDC recommends several immunizations for adults, as vaccines have completely eliminated smallpox and other diseases that used to kill thousands of adults each year. The immunization schedule is based on age group and certain risk factors. All adults should receive an annual influenza immunization, especially those with a high risk of developing the flu. Adults also need immunizations for varicella, human papillomavirus, pneumonia, herpes zoster, meningitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella. The human papillomavirus is only available until the age of 26. Adults only need the pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines if they are at risk due to their occupations or lifestyle choices.

These vaccinations are contraindicated in adults who have certain medical conditions. Pregnant women should not get the varicella, herpes zoster, or measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. These vaccines are also contraindicated in people who have compromised immune systems and in people who have HIV with a T lymphocyte count of less than 200 cells per microliter of blood. 

• Adult Vaccination Schedule (PDF): This vaccination schedule from the CDC shows which immunizations are needed by all adults and which immunizations are only needed by adults in high-risk groups.
• Shots to Save Lives: This resource discusses the importance of vaccinations and explains how they save lives.
• Facts About Adult Immunization (PDF): This article addresses some of the most important information about adult vaccines.
• Adult Immunization Risk Groups: This resource explains some of the high-risk groups that should consider specific vaccinations.

Benefits of Immunizations

The greatest benefit of immunizations is that they protect the public from widespread illnesses. In the early 1950s, nearly 2,000 people died from polio each year. The polio vaccine was introduced in 1955. Since that time, polio has been nearly eliminated from the Western Hemisphere. Prior to 1988, approximately one in 200 children developed bacterial meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenza type b. Since the introduction of the vaccine for this type of meningitis, there have been very few cases of the disease. German measles, also known as rubella, affected nearly pregnant women between 1964 and 1965. Their infants were born with heart defects, deafness, and other birth defects. Now that there is an effective vaccine for the disease, German measles pose almost no threat to pregnant women.

Another benefit of immunizations is that they save a considerable amount of money. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that the United States saves $8.50 in medical costs for every dollar spent on the DTaP vaccine. When the department accounts for lost work time, disability, and death, the amount saved increases to $27 for every dollar spent. For every dollar spent on the MMR vaccine, the United States saves $13.

• Statement on Risk vs. Benefit of Vaccinations: This report explains why vaccines are so beneficial and outlines some of the cost savings associated with vaccination.
• The Polio Vaccine: This article discusses the history of the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk.

Health Concerns of Immunizations

Some parents, educators, and medical experts are concerned about the possible adverse effects of vaccinations. Some vaccines contain adjuvants, which are substances used to increase the immune system response to the vaccine. One of the most common adjuvants used in vaccinations is aluminum. This metal is found in the DTap vaccination as well as the vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, Haemophilus influenza type b, and pneumococcus infection. There is some concern that the aluminum can cause health problems in those who receive these vaccines.

Some people have reported fainting or febrile seizures in children who have received vaccines. Medical care providers are now encouraged to observe patients for at least 15 minutes after administering immunizations to ensure that these adverse events do not occur. The number of fainting episodes increased with the licensure of the TDaP, meningococcal conjugate, and human papillomavirus vaccines for teenagers. Fainting is most common in teens who have received the human papillomavirus vaccine. The CDC found that complaints of febrile seizures after vaccination were rare. It is important to note that this type of seizure can occur any time a child has a fever and may not be directly related to vaccination.

There was also some concern about the use of thimerosal in vaccines. This substance is a preservative that contains mercury. Since mercury can cause serious effects, especially in children, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate the use of thimerosal in vaccines. Since 2001, only certain influenza vaccines have contained thimerosal. It is no longer used in other types of vaccinations. The Institute of Medicine reported that there may be a slight causal link between thimerosal and autism, but since this substance is no longer used in most vaccines, the CDC and other health agencies are conducting more research into the relationship between vaccines and autism.

• Parents Reject Vaccines: This article discusses the backlash against vaccines due to some of their potential effects.
• Vaccine Safety Concerns: The Minnesota Department of Health addresses some concerns regarding the safety of immunizations.
• Thimerosal Vaccines: This article from the FDA addresses the use of thimerosal in vaccines.
• Adverse Effects Following Immunization: The World Health Organization explains that there is no such thing as a “perfect” vaccination.
• Facts on Vaccine Safety: This detailed article from the American Academy of Family Physicians debunks some of the most common myths about vaccines.