When you bring your child in for their first medical checkup, the doctor will likely discuss a vaccination schedule with you. By sticking to this schedule and following your doctor’s recommendations, you can prevent your child from contracting dangerous diseases and common illnesses. The following are some frequent questions that parents ask about immunizations.

What Parents Should Know About Vaccines

How are vaccines tested?

Some parents might be concerned about whether certain vaccines are safe for their child. However, each immunization goes through a vigorous testing process before it is available for the public. Experts screen the vaccine through lab tests and clinical trials. The clinical trial process involves thousands of volunteers, so by the end of the process the vaccine producer knows that the product is safe and contains the proper dosage. 

Once the vaccine is thoroughly tested, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will license it, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will recommend it. The FDA, CDC, and other agencies continue to test and monitor the vaccine after it’s released. 

Are there side effects?

While vaccines can have side effects, they are rare and tend to be mild. Some common side effects include redness at the injection side, swelling, and pain. Some children and adults may experience drowsiness, fever, rash, and irritability. If you are concerned about the side effects of a particular vaccine, be sure to talk to your doctor. If your child has a reaction to a particular vaccination, call their doctor immediately.

Are vaccines safe during pregnancy?

Your doctor will recommend which vaccinations you should receive while pregnant, such as an inactivated flu shot and the whooping cough vaccine. However, there are some immunizations that you should not receive while pregnant. This includes vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), chickenpox, and HPV, as well as certain types of flu shots. Generally, vaccines that contain a live virus strain are not safe for pregnant women. Whether certain vaccines are safe for you and your baby will depend on your overall health, so be sure to talk to your doctor. 

How safe are multiple vaccines for children?

Your doctor will likely recommend that your child receives multiple vaccinations per visit when they are young. Some parent may be concerned that these doses are too much for their child’s immune system. However, receiving multiple vaccines at a time is safe. Scheduling multiple vaccines can also deliver the immune benefits more quickly. This is beneficial, because your child is more vulnerable to diseases early in life. 

Vaccinations are key to keeping your child healthy throughout life, and the team at HealthSmartVaccines in Chantilly, VA, is available to keep your family’s vaccine schedule on track. These professionals will keep you up to date on vaccine recommendations and safety recommendations, so all of your questions are answers. You can also visit their clinic for travel vaccines. Visit them online to view a full list of their services or call (703) 961-0733 for more information.