Important Vaccine Information

Question: I’m not sure who I can trust with vaccine information and what shots my child should get.

 

Dr. Joe Lee's Answer:

 

     Given the recent decisions of RFK and the current situation at CDC, the best source of vaccine information for your child is their pediatrician. You can trust your child’s pediatrician to be their advocate and to give you the best advice about vaccines. The American Academy of Pediatrics has been an unwavering, reliable source of advice about your child’s healthcare and safety for 95 years and is a strong advocate for childhood vaccines. The AAP still recommends that children from 6 months to 2 years get the COVID-19 vaccine and that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine. The risk of severe COVID-19 for these young children and the risk of severe COVID during pregnancy outweighs the minimal risk of reactions to the vaccine. Older children and adolescents with risk factors for severe COVID-19, such as asthma, diabetes, immune deficiency, and other chronic diseases, should also receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

     We recommend, and the AAP recommends, that children and adults get a yearly flu vaccine. Flu season is around the corner, and the ideal time to get the flu vaccine is in September or early October. The AAP still recommends that children get all the standard vaccines at the recommended schedule. This includes the DTaP, the Hib vaccine, the Pneumococcal vaccine, the MMR vaccine, and the Varivax vaccine, as well as the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines. Before middle school, the HPV vaccine and the Meningococcal vaccines are recommended. The schedule is complicated, so check with your pediatrician or the Health Department for the details and timing of the vaccines.

 

     Earlier this year, we discussed some myths about vaccines. There have been hundreds of studies demonstrating the lack of evidence that any of the vaccines cause autism. This has been a common concern among the anti-vaxxers, but there is no evidence linking autism to MMR vaccine or any of the vaccines. If you still have concerns, please speak with your pediatrician or contact us at the Health Department.

 

     Please check the AAP website, healthychildren.org, for questions about vaccines

and your child’s health.