Be Wise Immunize

Young child getting his vaccination

The Truth About Vaccines

Vaccines expose the body to a weakened form of a disease, which allows the immune system to build defenses against it. “Vaccines can prevent serious illness and death from so many diseases that used to kill hundreds of thousands of children before we had vaccines, and still continue to do so in places where they don’t have vaccines. As the diseases have become less common, we have forgotten how serious and dangerous some of these illnesses can be,” says Dr. Jasjit Singh, an infectious disease specialist at CHOC.

Learn more about vaccines.

Teen Immunizations – What Parents Should Know

Talk to your family doctor about what vaccines your kids need at their next checkup. And remember, vaccines are not just for your little ones. Your preteens and teens need to be vaccinated too! Vaccine protection from some childhood vaccines wears off, so your teen may need a booster shot. As they get older, they are more at risk for catching certain diseases so they need protection. In addition, the recommended immunization schedule is regularly updated to include new vaccines and has probably changed since your child was first immunized.

Smiling teen girls on a basketball team

Be Wise Immunization Tip Sheets

Download Immunization Tip Sheet: English | Spanish

Staying healthy is important to keeping you and our community safe. Children need to have vaccinations (shots) to prevent them from getting sick. Children under the age of 5 are less able to fight off these germs if they do not receive their shots.

Please keep in mind these tips about shots:

The California School Immunization Law says that children need to be up-to-date on their shots to attend school or childcare.
Shots are made to be given to everyone and are tested to make sure they are safe for public use.
Some Vaccinations may not be shots; there are some that are given by the mouth or nose.
Children who have not had their shots can die from measles, chicken pox, and other bugs that shots can prevent.
Like most medicine, shots can cause some side effects.
Discuss the risks and benefits of the shots with your medical provider.
Please tell your medical provider if your child has had any past reactions to a shot or if they have any allergies.
Before your child has shots be sure to read the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) to learn about the benefits and risks of the shots.
Always keep a record of your child’s shots.
Ask your medical provider if there is an immunization registry in your area. An immunization registry will keep your child’s immunization record on file.
For more information please call the CDC at 1-800-232-4636 or visit them online at www.cdc.gov