It is completely natural to have questions about your baby’s vaccines. Vaccines protect infants and children from more than a dozen diseases by the time they are two years old. While some parents may have concerns about whether vaccinating their baby is safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assures us that vaccines are safe.
Millions of children safely receive vaccines every single year. The most common side effects are typically very mild, like pain or swelling at the injection site. Vaccines can prevent infectious diseases that once killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults. Without vaccines your child is at risk for getting seriously ill and suffering pain, disability, and even death from diseases like measles and whooping cough.
The recommended vaccination schedule protects infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they come into contact with life-threatening diseases. Click here for a detailed guide of recommended immunizations for children from birth through 6-years-old.
Still have questions about why health experts suggest parents start vaccinating their infants early? Check out this helpful guide published by the CDC.
Vaccinations are also a requirement before young children or infants begin child care or school. The Tennessee Department of Health outlines which vaccinations are required. You can read about it here.