Childhood Vaccinations: Side Effects, Risks, and Benefits

Evaluating the safety and side effects of common childhood vaccines. Information on identifying site infections and managing post-immunization reactions.

Baby Vaccinations Side Effects

Vaccinations are given to babies to protect them against disease and illness. The Centers for for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a schedule for when a child should receive his immunizations. The vaccination schedule begins at birth and continues throughout adulthood.

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Vials and Syringe

Most Common Side Effects of Vaccinations

A vaccination or immunization is used to help the body protect itself against specific types of viruses or bacteria. Typically, a vaccine is administered as an injection in the upper portion of the arm.

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Child vaccination

Child Immunization and a Swollen Arm

Your child's routine immunizations are meant to keep her healthy, but they are not always without some minor side effects. A mild swelling of the arm can occur after the shots, but in most cases, it is not serious.

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Little baby get an injection

The Pros & Cons of Vaccinating Children

Edward Jenner who was a country physician from England created the first vaccine in 1796, according to Harvard Medical School. Jenner developed the small pox vaccine, which changed the course of this deadly disease. Since that time, many other researchers and physicians have developed other vaccines.

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Boy receiving an injection by female doctor

Side Effects of a Meningitis Vaccine

Meningitis is a serious medical condition in which the membranous tissue (meninges) that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord is infected, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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doctor does injection child vaccination baby

DPT Vaccination Side Effects

The DPT vaccine, now commonly called the DTaP vaccine, is given to American children five times during their early lives, according to the National Institutes of Health website, MedlinePlus. The normal vaccination schedule is at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years.

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Child vaccination

How to Tell If a Baby's Vaccine Is Infected?

Most babies survive their vaccinations with just a few tears and a day of irritability. In rare cases, infection at the vaccination site can occur. Anytime you have a break in the skin, bacteria could enter. What looks like an infection could also be nothing more than a local skin reaction.

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