National Immunisation Awareness Month: Alongside the excitement of meeting new teachers and friends, the start of the US school year will also bring runny noses, hacking coughs, and bugs that somehow make their way through the entire classroom in a week. If you are sick, it is important to stay home. With a lot of people touching the same thing and germs everywhere, it is just important to watch your child's health and make sure to not spread it to other people.Of course, handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, avoiding close contact with sick people, and regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs and de the first and necessary steps of everyday disease prevention. But there is another powerful shield that should not be ignored at any cost: vaccines.Vaccines are not just for babies. They are a long-term health investment that keeps everything from the common flu to life-threatening infections at bay. Vaccines work; they help prevent diseases, and they help prevent infections. When enough people in a community are vaccinated, it creates herd immunity, meaning even those who cannot be vaccinated (due to medical reasons) get indirect protection. Yes, there are conversations and concerns around vaccines, but the best way to clear the air is to get accurate, up-to-date information from trusted sources. Here is Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) age-by-age vaccine cheat sheetAt birth: The journey starts right away with the first dose of the Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine, which protects against a serious liver infection.At 2 months: It is a busy month for tiny humans. They get doses of DTaP (Diphtheria, tetanus, and Pertussis), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), IPV (Polio), PCV (Pneumococcal), and RV (Rotavirus).4 months: Time for round two of the same five vaccines, because immunity is built gradually. 6 months: Another wave of protection with more DTaP, Hib, IPV (if needed), PCV, and RV doses. This is also when flu vaccines can be taken, and they will be recommended annually thereafter.12–15 months: A milestone moment! Toddlers get the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Varicella (Chickenpox), and HepA (Hepatitis A) vaccines. Some of the earlier series, like Hib and PCV, are also completed here.15–18 months: The final DTaP dose in this stage rounds out protection against those three bacterial infections.4–6 years: The finale before they head deeper into the school years; boosters for DTaP, IPV, MMR, and Varicella to ensure immunity stays strong.Why this timing mattersSpacing out vaccines is not about convenience; it is about giving the immune system the right cues at the right time. Too early, and the body might not respond effectively; too late, and there is a risk window where the child is vulnerable. That is why following the schedule is important. What do vaccines do?Vaccines do not just protect your child; they protect your child’s classmates, teachers, grandparents, and the stranger next to them. With schools reopening, the mix of close contact, shared surfaces, and high-energy kids is a perfect chance for germs to hop from one host to another. Vaccines are not about fear; they are about freedom. Freedom from the diseases that once claimed far too many young lives. They work quietly so your kids can focus on learning their ABCs, art, and running the school playground without worry. It is time to take a moment to check that your child’s vaccine schedule is up to date.
Email
Google
Facebook Email Google Facebook