Vaccine Resources for Parents & Patients

Yes. Vaccines are very safe. The United States has a long-standing vaccine safety system that ensures vaccines are as safe as possible. The most common side effects are very mild, like soreness where the shot was given, fussiness, and low-grade fever.

Vaccines are effective in preventing infectious diseases that once harmed or killed many infants, children and adults. Side effects continue to most always be mild and go away in a few days. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.  

Serious side effects are rare, such as severe allergic reactions, and doctors and clinic staff are trained to deal with them.

No. Scientific studies and reviews continue to show no relationship between vaccines and autism. Additionally, a CDC study published in 2013 added to the research showing that vaccines do not cause Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study focused on the number of antigens given during the first two years of life. Antigens are substances in vaccines that cause the body’s immune system to produce disease-fighting antibodies. The results showed that the total amount of antigen from vaccines received was the same between children with ASD and those that did not have ASD.

Read more about Autism and Vaccines

Children receive vaccinations early because they are susceptible to diseases at a young age. The recommended Centers for Disease Control vaccination schedule begins early in life to protect infants and children before they come into contact with life-threatening diseases.  

Young children have the highest risk of having a serious case of disease that could cause hospitalization or death. Delaying or spreading out vaccine doses leaves your child unprotected during the time when they need vaccine protection the most. Some diseases can be very serious when a baby gets them, and some diseases almost always occur during a certain point in a child’s life.

Depending on the vaccine, your child will need more than one dose to build high enough immunity to help prevent disease or to boost immunity that fades over time. Your child may also receive more than one dose to make sure they are protected if they did not get immunity from a first dose, or to protect them against germs that change over time, like flu. Getting every recommended dose of each vaccine provides your child with the best protection possible.

Babies may get some temporary protection from mom during the last few weeks of pregnancy, but only for diseases to which mom is immune. Breastfeeding may also protect your baby temporarily from minor infections, like colds. These antibodies do not last long, leaving your baby vulnerable to disease.  

Some vaccine-preventable diseases, like pertussis (whooping cough) and chickenpox, still remain in the U.S. On the other hand, other diseases vaccines prevent are no longer common in this country because of vaccines. Travelers can unknowingly bring these diseases into the U.S., and if the community is unprotected, the diseases could quickly spread. The relatively few cases that the U.S. may currently have could very quickly become tens or hundreds of thousands of cases without the protection given by vaccines. With adequate vaccination rates, most of these types of outbreaks can be prevented. But if vaccination rates drop, “imported” cases of preventable diseases can begin to spread again.

Yes. State law and regulations require children to be vaccinated in order to attend school in Pennsylvania; however, not all CDC recommended vaccines are required.

For attendance in all grades in a Pennsylvania school, children need the following vaccines:

• 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given) *
• 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella
• 3 doses of hepatitis B
• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

*A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose

If the child does not have at least one dose of the above vaccines on the first day of school, or a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, they may be denied admission into school.

If the child does not have all the doses listed above, needs additional doses, and the next dose is medically appropriate, the child must receive that dose within the first five days of school, they may be excluded from school risk exclusion.

For attendance in 7th grade in a Pennsylvania school, children need the following vaccines.

• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) If the child does not have the above vaccines on the first day of 7th grade, or a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, they may be denied admission into school.

For attendance in 12th grade in a Pennsylvania school, children need the following vaccines.

• 1 dose of MCV - If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose.

If the child does not have the above vaccines on the first day of 12th grade, or a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, they may be denied admission into school.

Source:

https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/programs/immunizations/Pages/School.aspx 

Respiratory illnesses are caused by viruses like COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). They can make anyone sick, but the following populations have a higher risk of severe illness from respiratory illnesses:

• Children younger than 2 years old
• People who are pregnant
• People with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung diseases, chronic liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart diseases, HIV, obesity, and smoking
• People with weakened immune systems such as those undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy

The following vaccines are recommended for respiratory illnesses

• COVID-19
  • recommended for everyone age 6 months and older
• Influenza (flu)
  • recommended for everyone age 6 months and older
• RSV
  • all infants younger than 8 months (children 8-19 months with certain risk factors should also be vaccinated)
  • pregnant people between 32-36 weeks of gestation

Adults need to keep their vaccinations up to date because immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. You are also at risk for different diseases as an adult. And for some diseases, like whooping cough, vaccinated adults can prevent the disease from spreading and protect children who are too young or unable to be vaccinated. Vaccination is one of the most convenient and safest preventive care measures available.

The CDC recommends all adults should get a flu vaccine every year and be up-to-date with their Td/Tdap which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). After receiving an initial Td/Tdap dose, a booster is required every 10 years. Depending on age, health conditions, vaccine history, and other factors, you may need additional vaccines such as:

• Chickenpox
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Meningococcal
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• Pneumococcal
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Shingles

For people with certain chronic health conditions like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, it is even more important to be up to date on vaccines because they are at increased risk for complications from certain vaccine-preventable diseases like flu and pneumonia.

It is safe for people who are taking prescription medications to get vaccines. There are, however, other factors that may make it unsafe for some people to get certain vaccines, such as allergy to a vaccine or a certain vaccine ingredient. Also, live vaccines should not be given to people with certain health conditions. That is why it’s important to talk with your doctor to determine which vaccines are recommended for you.

Getting recommended vaccines before or while you are pregnant helps protect both you and your baby from potentially serious diseases that can make you and your baby very sick.

During pregnancy you should be vaccinated against whooping cough, flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Depending on other risk factors and travel plans, other vaccines may be recommended during pregnancy.

Live virus vaccines, such as the MMR and chickenpox, should not be given during pregnancy.

Sources:

Vaccines During Pregnancy

Vaccine Safety

Respiratory illnesses are caused by viruses like COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). They can make anyone sick, but the following populations have a higher risk of severe illness from respiratory illnesses:

• Adults 65 years and older
• People who are pregnant
• People with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung diseases, chronic liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart diseases, HIV, obesity, and smoking
• People with weakened immune systems such as those undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy

The following vaccines are recommended for respiratory illnesses

• COVID-19
  • recommended for everyone age 6 months and older
• Influenza (flu)
  • recommended for everyone age 6 months and older
• RSV
  • pregnant people between 32-36 weeks of gestation
  • all adults 75 years and older (adults 60-74 with certain risk factors should also be vaccinated)