If you are still worried about the risk of autism or ADHD, ask your doctor or nurse about single-dose forms of the vaccine. All of the routine childhood vaccines are available in single-dose forms, and they do not contain added mercury.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website provides further information.

Other risks you may have heard about include:

• Some parents are worried that they or their child can get the infection from some vaccines, such as the MMR, chickenpox (varicella), or nasal spray flu vaccines. However, unless you have a weakened immune system, this is very unlikely.
• Although very rare, allergic reactions to some part of the vaccines are possible.
• Certain live vaccines may be very dangerous to the fetus of a pregnant woman. These include: the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, and the Flu-Mist nasal spray vaccine.

Like many medications, there is always the chance that an immunization can cause side effects. However, deciding not to immunize yourself or a child puts both of you at risk for serious infections. The potential benefits from receiving vaccines far outweigh the potential risks.

IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE

The recommended immunization schedule is updated at least every 12 months by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Talk to your primary care provider about specific immunizations for you or your child. The current recommendations are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. At every doctor visit, ask about the next recommended immunizations.

Immunizations are not only for children. Each year the CDC posts recommended adult immunizations on their website. Go there to learn about tetanus booster shots, the flu shot, hepatitis A and B vaccines, the pneumococcal vaccine, MMR, and immunizations for chickenpox and meningitis.

TRAVELERS

The CDC website (www.cdc.gov) gives travelers detailed information on immunizations and other precautions. Many immunizations should be obtained at least a month before travel.

Remember to take your immunization records with you when you travel internationally. Some countries require this documentation.

See also:

• Chickenpox - vaccine
• DTaP immunization (vaccine)
• H1N1 (swine) influenza vaccine
• Hepatitis A vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Hib - vaccine
• Influenza vaccine
• MMR - vaccine
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
• Polio immunization (vaccine)
• Tdap vaccine
• Tetanus - vaccine

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Immunizations

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Review Date: 12/15/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)