Most parents choose to vaccinate their children according to the recommended schedule. But some parents may still have questions about vaccines, and getting answers they can trust may be hard.
On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.1
Learn all about vaccines and immunity, what vaccines are made of, and how they are kept safe by visiting CDC's Making the Vaccine Decision webpage.
Newborn babies do not have fully developed immune systems, making them particularly vulnerable to infections. When a baby's family members and caregivers get vaccinated, they help form a “cocoon” of disease protection around the baby. Anyone who is around babies should be up-to-date on all routine vaccines, including the whooping cough vaccine. During flu season, everyone should get a flu vaccine in order to surround the baby with protection. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, babysitters, and other caregivers can all help prevent the spread of disease by getting vaccinated.2
Join baby Jack and his parents as they find out how vaccines help train your baby's immune system to help prevent disease:
Sources:
1. CDC, Why Vaccinate?
2. CDC, Create a Circle of Protection Around Babies