Vaccines

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What are vaccines? " пїЅ Vaccines are treatments that prevent infections. They teach your body how to fight the germs that cause infections. Thanks to vaccines, the number of people " пїЅ especially kids " пїЅ who die because of infections has gone way down. Vaccines have also reduced the number of people crippled by polio and other infections that can cause permanent damage. пїЅ пїЅ

Vaccines usually come in shots, but some come in nasal sprays or medicines you swallow. Vaccines are also called "vaccinations " пїЅ or "immunizations. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

Some vaccines work after just 1 dose. Others work only after 2 or more doses. Vaccines usually take a few weeks to start working. пїЅ пїЅ

Why should I get vaccinated? " пїЅ Getting vaccinated can help keep you from getting sick. If you do get sick, being vaccinated can also keep you from getting severely ill. Plus, being vaccinated can help protect those around you from getting sick. пїЅ пїЅ

What side effects do vaccines cause? " пїЅ Often vaccines cause no side effects. When they do cause side effects, they can cause: пїЅ пїЅ

Redness, mild swelling, or soreness where you got the shot
A mild fever
A mild rash
Headache or body aches

Vaccines also sometimes cause more serious side effects, such as severe allergic reactions. But serious side effects are rare. пїЅ пїЅ

When should I be vaccinated and for what? " пїЅ People need different vaccines at different stages of their life: пїЅ пїЅ

Infants and children usually need vaccines against infections that strike at any time in life. Childhood vaccines include those against measles, mumps, rubella, and polio.
Children older than 6 months and adults need a flu vaccine every year. Some adults also need a vaccine against the most common type of pneumonia (a lung infection). Plus, adults sometimes need vaccines that they never got as children.
Travelers sometimes need vaccines against infections that exist in the area to which they are traveling.

What if I want to get pregnant? " пїЅ If you want to get pregnant, ask your doctor or nurse if you need any vaccines. Some vaccines must be given before pregnancy. Others are important to get during pregnancy. Getting the right vaccines before and during pregnancy can protect you and your baby from serious infections. пїЅ пїЅ

Do vaccines cause autism? " пїЅ No. After doing many careful studies, scientists have not found any link between vaccines and autism. Many years ago, 1 study found a link between autism and vaccines. But that study turned out to be false. It has been withdrawn. пїЅ пїЅ

What if I have an egg allergy? " пїЅ Ask your doctor which vaccines are safe for you. Some vaccines are made in eggs, so people with serious egg allergies sometimes have a bad reaction to those vaccines. Still, people with mild allergies can often take egg-made vaccines. Plus, some vaccines come in an egg-free version, which can be used in certain people. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15370 Version 4.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Vaccines

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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