Childhood Vaccinations

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A pediatrician offers helpful information for parents to understand vaccines, how they work, what potential risks are involved, and why they're so important.

Becoming a parent inherently involves an entirely new set of decisions - everything from figuring out which brand of car seat, baby bottle, and diapers to buy to finding a pediatrician and keeping current on the latest in childhood health and safety recommendations. Amongst these many responsibilities of parenthood is one that many consider to be the single most important (after providing food and shelter, that is), and that is getting your child immunized.

Some of you may find it challenging to simply keep up with all of the doctor visits and shots that are recommended over the first years of your child's life. Others of you may cringe at the thought of needles or have heard confusing, concerning, or downright contradictory information about vaccines that leave you questioning just how necessary vaccines really are. Whatever the case, it is helpful for all parents to understand vaccines, how they work, what potential risks are involved, and why they're so important.

Current Recommendation

As with most aspects of modern medicine, the timing of childhood vaccines seems to be constantly changing, and for more than an occasional parent – perplexing. Not only do new vaccines continue to become available, others are improved upon and some are combined – resulting in fewer numbers of overall shots for our children. The best way to keep children on track with their immunizations is to refer to the current American Academy of Pediatrics recommended schedule.