Vaccine Information, vaccines

The Ultimate Guide to Vaccinations for Children

Babies are born with a basic level of immunity, which continues via the delivery of antibodies through their mother’s milk if they’re receiving breastmilk. Even so, immunizations play an essential role when it comes to ensuring babies and children have the immunity they need to fight some of the most common – and deadly – diseases while also keeping the rest of the community safe.

Staying On Track With Pediatrician Appointments Keeps Vaccinations Easy

Pediatric Associates of the Northwest believes in the importance of preventing illnesses by staying up-to-date on immunizations. We also recognize that each family is unique and you may have questions or concerns. As compassionate partners in your child’s care, we’re committed to listening and providing evidence-based resources so you are empowered to make informed decisions for your family.

We hope this Ultimate Vaccine Guide helps you understand what to expect, the CDC vaccine schedule we follow, how to learn more about vaccine safety, and how to prepare your little ones if they’re feeling nervous about getting “pokes.”

1. Your pediatrician is your best vaccine guide

We keep track of your child’s immunization history and schedule, and will let you know at the beginning of the visit which vaccines your child may be due for, so you don’t have to worry about it.

At Pediatric Associates of the Northwest, we offer the updated COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines during our Saturday Vaccine Clinics. These vaccines are available to all PANW patients and their immediate family members up to age 64. Get more details about our upcoming clinic and schedule your appointment today as they fill up fast!

And, of course, we’re also here to answer any questions you may have about the process and what to expect afterward, as well as any new vaccine or treatment information relative to current infectious diseases risks.

2. Bookmark & Download the CDC’s Childhood Vaccine Schedules

Vaccine schedules can change over time as research and healthcare develop. For the most current schedule, you can check out The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) online schedules. This is what Pediatric Associates of the Northwest follows. You can view, download, or print them to make things easier to view.

The CDC’s Vaccine Schedule For Infants & Children is the easiest to use if you have children six years old and younger. This window of time has the most vaccinations, so it’s better to keep the window as focused as possible.

For children 7-18 years old, the CDC has developed this schedule. Once children get older, the frequency of vaccines lessens. At that point, vaccinations for children focus more on boosters – other than COVID, flu, meningitis vaccines, or HPV vaccination before middle school or junior high.

3. Learn more about how vaccines work

We understand there is a tremendous amount of conflicting information about vaccines and how they work. It’s also true that – like all innovations – vaccines change over time. As we mentioned in the first section, your pediatrician is your best resource about which vaccines your child is receiving, what they’re made from, and how they’ll work.

At the most basic level, vaccines work by introducing a very controlled version of the same type of disease they work to prevent. The doses are formulated to interact with the human immune system by introducing it to specific diseases (viral and bacterial). By doing it in small, controlled amounts, the immune system learns what it is, how to fight it off, and activates faster and with greater efficiency if your child is ever exposed to that same disease in its live form in the future.

This is why children may get mild fevers, feel fatigued, or experience achiness or discomfort after getting a vaccine. The more you know about vaccines, the safer you’ll feel, and the better you’ll be able to explain the process to your child (see #5).

4. There may be side effects

Because vaccines introduce a managed dose of a particular virus or bacteria, your child may get a very mild version of that illness as their immune system learns how to fight it off. And, because most vaccines are injected into the skin in the forearm or thigh, your child may also have some swelling, irritation, or soreness (like a bruise) for a few days.

Although the side effects might be a little uncomfortable, they are temporary and are a good sign that your immune system is doing what it’s supposed to do.

The most common side effects children experience after vaccines are:

Irritation at vaccine sites. Redness, swelling, and pain or discomfort around the vaccine site. This doesn’t usually last for more than three to five days. However, the DTaP (Diptheria-tetanus-pertussis) may cause discomfort for up to a week or so. 
Mild fever or fever symptoms. Your child may develop a mild fever within the first few days of their shot, but it should resolve within 24 to 48 hours. 
A small rash (often a delayed reaction). The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) and varicella (chicken pox) vaccinations may also cause a slight rash. Typically, the rash appears at about the one to four-week mark. 
Anaphylaxis. This is very rare and typically means a child is allergic to one of the ingredients used in the vaccine. Typically, anaphylaxis starts within 20 minutes of getting a vaccine, but a severe reaction can be delayed for an hour or two. Prompt medical attention can turn that reaction around.

Contact us 24 hours a day (503-227-0671 after hours) if you notice any unusual vaccine side effects or for any questions at all about your child’s post-vaccine experience, which may include:

Redness or red streak around the vaccine site that is more prominent than two inches.
Redness, swelling, or increasing pain after three days.
Fussiness lasting more than three days or becoming continually worse.

5. Preparing your child for vaccines helps the process

It’s normal for children to feel nervous about getting “pokes,” which we know can be stressful for patients AND parents. We’ve got you covered! There are several things our team can offer during the appointment, as well as some things you can do to prepare a child ahead of time.

Infants and babies. Parents or primary caregivers can snuggle baby so they feel safe and secure. If you feel comfortable doing so, nursing or bottlefeeding while they get their vaccines can offer a distraction and help comfort them. 
Toddlers and young children. Talking, reading books, and using your child’s stuffed animals to “act out” what to expect can make all the difference. There are plenty of great children’s books along these lines, including some that talk about vaccines in age-appropriate ways. Being honest and preparing ahead of time can help children feel more confident and in control when they come in.

For distraction and comfort, you can let your child choose a small toy to bring with them. We also offer pain-reducing and other distraction methods your child can choose from, including the Buzzy Bee, Shot Blocker, and topical anesthetic creams so “pokes” are as comfortable as possible.

6. Download the Free Vaccine App

Finally, we highly encourage you to take advantage of helpful Parenting Apps and make sure you are signed up for our secure patient portal. This is where you can view your immunization records, see past and upcoming appointments, send us a question, and more!