Table of Contents
Preface vii
Patient Biographies xi
Part 1 The Basics 1
Questions 1-9 provide information about what vaccines are and how they work. Questions include:
What is a vaccine?
What do "immunity" and "immunization" mean?
How do vaccines work?
Part 2 Are Vaccines Safe? 17
Questions 10-24 discuss the safety of vaccines and describe possible side effects. Questions include:
Are vaccines safe?
Who tests vaccines for safety? How can they make sure a vaccine is safe?
What are the possible side effects of a vaccine?
Part 3 Giving Vaccines to Children 43
Questions 25-40 discuss issues surrounding children and vaccines. Questions include:
Do I have to give my children vaccines?
What are the risks of not using vaccines for my child?
Isn't a baby protected if the pregnant mother was up-to-date with her vaccines?
Part 4 The Vaccine Schedule for Children 61
Questions 41-43 go over what you need to know for immunizing your children. Questions include:
Which vaccines are recommended for children?
Are all of these vaccines required? Does my child have to get these to attend school?
Does my child need a vaccine if he has already had the disease it prevents?
Part 5 Vaccines in the First 6 Months of Life 65
Questions 44-60 provide information about the vaccines your newborn should receive. Questions include:
What is the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) vaccine?
I heard that the old pertussis vaccine could cause severe side effects. Is the current vaccine safer?
There are still outbreaks of whooping cough (pertussis). Does this mean the vaccine is ineffective?
Part 6 Vaccines from Age 6 Months to 2 Years 87
Questions 61-77offer information about vaccines your infant or toddler should receive. Questions include:
At this age, does my child need more doses of some vaccines she has already received?
What is the influenza vaccine?
Why are there different types of influenza vaccines?
Part 7 Vaccines for School-Age Children and Teenagers 109
Questions 78-89 discuss vaccines your child or teenager might receive. Questions include:
After age two will my child need more doses of some vaccines he has already received?
My child has a bad cut. How do I know if he needs another tetanus shot?
What is the meningococcal vaccine?
Part 8 Special Situations and Special Vaccines 123
Questions 90-98 provide information about special situations in which your child might need additional immunizations. Questions include:
Are there any other vaccines my child might have to receive?
We are adopting a child from a foreign country. What vaccines will she need?
Is there a vaccine for TB (tuberculosis)?
Part 9 Recommended Resources for Information 141
Questions 99-100 explain where you can find information about vaccines. Questions include:
I get confused by different opinions on vaccines. How can I get the truth?
Where can I find more information on childhood immunizations?
Appendix 145
Glossary 149
Index 161
