Month 2 Worry: Are All These Vaccines Safe for My Child?

What Parents Can Do

Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Standard consent for vaccines includes a discussion in the office and a chance to read paperwork from the Centers for Disease Control (a vaccine information sheet, or VIS). Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers you're given. Vaccinating may be scary but could well be a decision that saves your baby's life.

What the Docs May Do

Your pediatrician will spend time at your visits discussing the pros and cons of vaccines. This is called informed consent. There are risks to all medical decisions (e.g., is the low risk of Tylenol dosing worth taking to reduce my child's pain?). When the risks of vaccines are measured by most people, they are far outweighed by the benefits of vaccinating and preventing serious disease.

More 2nd Month Health Help

Even the most confident parent has concerns about her child's health and wellness from time to time. (If you have any pressing concerns or questions about your baby's health, please check with her healthcare provider.)

• What was last month's most popular health worry?
• Learn which medical question you might have next month.
• Here's what else is happening with your baby's health and development this month.