**Frequently Asked Questions**

**Why should young children be vaccinated?**

Infants and children need to be vaccinated because they are more likely
to develop complications or die from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Immunization is one of the most important things a parent can do to
protect their children's health. Today we can protect children from 14
serious diseases. Failure to vaccinate may mean putting children at risk
for serious diseases.

**Are vaccines safe?**

Vaccines are very safe and effective. Like any other medicine, they can
occasionally cause mild reactions like a sore arm or a slight fever.
Serious reactions are very rare. The important thing to remember is that
getting the diseases is *much* more dangerous than getting the vaccine.

**When should my child's vaccines begin?**

The first vaccine, for Hepatitis B, is given at birth. Most vaccines are
given before children are two years old, but they will need more
vaccines before starting school, and as they get older. The ages at
which vaccines are recommended are chosen to give children the earliest
and best protection against diseases.

**Why do infants and young children need so many shots?**

Infants and young children are most at risk for disease. However, their
immune systems can handle multiple vaccines at once. Currently there are
14 potentially serious diseases that vaccines protect against: Bacterial
Meningitis, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Measles,
Mumps, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Pneumococcal disease, Polio, Rubella
(German Measles), Tetanus (Lockjaw), Rotavirus, and Varicella
(Chickenpox). At least one vaccine is needed for each of these diseases,
and for some several doses are required for the best protection. Several
"combination vaccines" exist in which multiple vaccines are given in a
single shot, reducing the number of shots needed.

**What would happen if my child *didn't* get these shots?**

Basically, one of two things could happen:

1.  If your child were to go through life without ever being exposed to
    any of these diseases, nothing would happen. The chance of them
    never being exposed to a vaccine-preventable disease is rare.

2.  If your child were exposed to any of these diseases, there is a good
    chance they would get the disease. Your child could get mildly ill
    and have to stay inside for a few days or could get very sick and
    have to be hospitalized. At the very worst, your child could die.

In addition, your child could spread the disease to other children and
adults who are not immune. Some people such as those being treated for
cancer, have little or no immunity. When there are enough unprotected
people in a community, the result can be a cluster of disease spreading
through the community.

**What are my child's chances of being exposed to these diseases?**

Some of these diseases are very rare in the United States today, so the
chances of exposure are small. However, these diseases may be common in
other parts of the world, and are only a plane ride away. Other diseases
are still fairly common in the U.S. Don't assume your child is
completely safe from any of these diseases, even the rare ones.

**Do vaccines always work?**

Vaccines work most of the time. Most infant immunizations give immunity
to 90%-99% of the children who get them. But occasionally a child will
not respond to certain vaccines. A child who has not responded to
vaccination has to depend on the immunity of others for protection.
Children who haven't been vaccinated could infect your child, but not
one who has been successfully immunized.

**What if my child didn't start his shots on time, or gets behind
schedule? Will they still work?**

To give your child the best protection, be sure to immunize on time.
Most vaccines can be given at any age, and an infant who has fallen
behind does not have to start over. The vaccines already given will
still count, and the child will still develop immunity. Talk to the
doctor about how to stay on schedule to insure the best protection for
your child.

**Are vaccines expensive?**

If you go to a private doctor, vaccines might be covered by your health
insurance. A program called "Vaccines for Children" (VFC) provides
vaccines at no cost for children who are enrolled in Medicaid, don\'t
have health insurance, or who are American Indian or Alaska Native. VFC
may cover your child if your health insurance does not cover vaccines;
you can take your child to a federally qualified health center or a
rural health clinic. You may have to pay a small fee for the nurse to
give the vaccine.  

**Where can I get more information?**

Talk with your health care provider or call the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's (CDC) INFO Contact Center at 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636). You can also go to the National Center for Immunization
and Respiratory Diseases Website at
[www.cdc.gov/vaccines](http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines) .