It also called Shots. Today, children in the United States routinely get vaccines that

protect them from more than a dozen diseases such as measles, polio and tetanus .

Most of these diseases are now at their lowest levels in history, thanks to years of immunization. Children must get at least some vaccines before they may attend.

Vaccines help make you immune to serious diseases without getting sick first. Without a vaccine, you must actually get a disease in order to become immune to the germ that causes it. Vaccines work best when they are given at certain ages. For example, children don't receive measles vaccine until they are at least one year old. If it is given earlier it might not work as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes a schedule for childhood vaccines.

• Immunization , or immunisation, is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an agent (known as the immunogen).

• When an immune system is exposed to molecules that are foreign to the body (non-self), it will orchestrate an immune response, but it can also develop the ability to quickly respond to a subsequent encounter (through immunological memory). This is a function of the adaptive immune system. Therefore, by exposing an animal to an immunogen in a controlled way, their body can learn to protect itself: this is called active immunization.

• The most important elements of the immune system that are improved by immunization are the B cells (and the antibodies they produce) and T cells.

• An ANTIBODY is defined as “an immunoglobulin capable of specific combination with the antigen that caused its production in a susceptible animal.” They are produced in response to the invasion of foreign molecules in the body. Most antibodies exist as one or more copies of a Y-shaped unit, composed of four polypeptide chains. Each Y contains two identical copies of a heavy chain, and two identical copies of a light chain, named as such by their relative molecular weights. No mammalian vertebrate antibodies are similar in structure to mammalian IgG and carry the designation IgY (for yolk-derived). Mammalian antibodies can be divided into five classes: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE, based on the number of Y units and the type of heavy chain. Heavy chains of IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE, are known as g, µ, a, d, and e, respectively. The light chains of any antibody can be classified as either a kappa (.) or Antibody Structure lambda (.) type (based on small polypeptide structural differences); however, the heavy chain determines the subclass of each antibody.

• Vaccines are generally quite safe. The protection provided by vaccines far outweighs the very small risk of serious problems. Vaccines have made many serious childhood diseases rare today. Talk to your family doctor if you have any questions.

• Some vaccines may cause mild temporary side effects such as fever, or soreness or a lump under the skin where the shot was given. Your family doctor will talk to you about possible side effects with certain vaccines.

• Recommendations about when to have your child vaccinated change from time to time. You can get a copy of the most current child ; About PDFs) or adolescent vaccination schedules from an organization such as the American Academy of Family Physicians or the American Academy of Pediatrics, or you can ask your family doctor. Vaccinations usually start when your child is 2 months old and most are finished by the time he or she is 6 years old.

• In some special situations, children shouldn't be vaccinated. For example, some vaccines shouldn't be given to children who have certain types of cancer or certain diseases, or who are taking drugs that lower the body's ability to resist infection.

If your child has had a serious reaction to the first shot in a series of shots, your family doctor will probably talk with you about the pros and cons of giving him or her the rest of the shots in the series.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about whether your child should receive a vaccine.

• The flu vaccine is available by shot or by nasal spray. The flu shot contains dead viruses. The nasal-spray vaccine contains live but weakened viruses. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the nasal-spray vaccine.

The flu vaccine is given at the beginning of the flu season, usually in October or November. The flu shot is safe for children 6 months of age and older. The nasal spray vaccine is safe for children 2 years of age and older. Because flu viruses change from year to year, it is very important for your child to get the vaccine each year so that he or she will be protected. Children are more likely to have complications from the flu.

• The varicella virus usually causes a rash, itching, tiredness and fever. It can lead to pneumonia, brain infection or death. Complications occur most often in very young children, adults or people with damaged immune systems.

• Tetanus is caused by a poison produced by a germ that can enter the body through a cut, wound or any break in the skin -- even a tiny cut or puncture. Tetanus causes serious, painful spasms of all muscles and can lead to "locking" of the jaw so a person cannot open his or her mouth, swallow, breath or move. Three of 10 people who get tetanus die from the disease. Tetanus germs are found everywhere, usually in soil, dust and manure. Everyone should have a tetanus- diphtheria booster shot every 10 years to stay protected.

• Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is an extremely contagious disease that also may affect the brain and is very serious for children younger than 6 years of age. It can cause spells of violent coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe, drink or eat. The cough can last for weeks. Pertussis is most serious for babies, who can get pneumonia, have seizures, become brain damaged, or even die. About half of the babies who get pertussis have to be hospitalized. Immunizations should begin at 2 months of age and are finished by 6 years of age. Pertussis is caused by a germ that lives in the mouth, nose and throat. It is spread to others through coughing or sneezing.

• Paralytic pol io is a virus that strikes children and adults and can cripple and kill. It is spread by contact with the feces (bowel movement) of an infected person. Symptoms can include sudden fever, sore throat, headache, muscle weakness and pain. Before the discovery of the vaccine, polio caused epidemics in all parts of the United States. However, with the vaccine available and immunization rates at all-time highs, there has not been a reported case of polio in Illinois since 1983. Immunization begins at 2 months of age and is usually completed before school entry. However, an adult may need one or more doses if traveling to infected countries.

• The measles virus can be spread very easily. Even being in the same room with a person with measles is enough to catch the disease. Symptoms include a rash, fever, cough and watery eyes. Measles also can cause pneumonia, brain damage, seizures or death. Before the vaccine became available, nearly every child developed measles and measles caused hundreds of deaths in the United States every year. Immunization has sharply decreased the number of children getting measles in the U.S. and Illinois. In 1996, there were only three cases of measles reported in the state.

• The rubella virus usually causes mild sickness with fever, swollen glands and a rash that last about three days. But, if a pregnant woman gets rubella, she can lose her baby, or the baby can be born blind, deaf, mentally retarded or with heart defects or other serious problems. The vaccine is combined with those for measles and for mumps.

• Diphtheria - (PDF) is an infectious disease spread by bacteria or germs that live in the mouth, throat and nose of an infected person, diphtheria is easily passed to others through coughing and sneezing. Early symptoms are a sore throat, a slight fever and chills. Usually the disease develops in the throat and can make it hard to swallow. If not treated, or not treated in time, the bacteria may produce a powerful poison that can spread throughout the body causing serious complications such as heart failure or paralysis. For years, diphtheria killed many children in the United States and could again if children are not immunized. Adults get continuing protection from diphtheria and tetanus in the same shot. Due to the success of immunizations, there has not been a case of diphtheria reported in Illinois since 1985.

• Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver that can become serious. It spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids. This can happen by sharing a razor, toothbrush or needles to inject drugs, or through sexual contact. Hepatitis B causes a flu-like illness with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, rashes, joint pain and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin). An infected pregnant woman can expose her newborn to this virus during birth. The virus stays in the liver of some people for the rest of their lives and can result in severe liver diseases or cancer. Three doses of a new vaccine offer protection, and immunization is recommended for all infants, children and adolescents. Some adults who are at increased risks — doctors, nurses, teachers, paramedics, police officers — may need to be vaccinated.

• Haemophilus influenzae causes serious health problems in young children, including the most dangerous type of meningitis. It also can cause pneumonia and infection of the blood, joints, bone, throat and heart covering. This disease can be serious for children younger than 5 years of age, especially infants. New Hib vaccines are very effective in children 2 months of age or older. They are not needed after the child reaches 5 years of age.

• We can all take important steps to prevent germs from spreading among people. It is not possible to tell if a person may be infected with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or any number of other diseases. Following these steps will help to protect ourselves and others when we come into contact with blood or body fluids. To help prevent disease, we can handle or treat the blood and all body fluids (except sweat) of every person as potentially infectious.

• Blood and Body Fluids - If you come into contact with blood and body fluids (except sweat), always treat them as potentially infectious. Clean up spills quickly using absorbent material first, such as paper towels. Then clean more thoroughly with soap and water. Finally, disinfect with household bleach.

• Gloves - Use clean, disposable gloves when handling any body fluids or cleaning cuts, scrapes or wounds. Wash hands after removing gloves, and dispose of the gloves in a plastic bag. Add gloves to your first aid kit so you are prepared.

• Needle Stick Injuries - Wash the area with warm soapy water. Do not squeeze the wound or soak it in bleach. Go to the nearest health unit or hospital emergency department immediately for care.

• Personal Articles - Never share toothbrushes or razors. They can transmit small amounts of blood from one user to the next. Dispose of razors carefully. Handle bedding or clothing soiled with body fluids cautiously, and wash in hot soapy water.

Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs from one person to another. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds. Waterless alcohol-based hand rinses can be used as long as hands are not heavily soiled.

• Your doctor or the staff at the clinic will keep a record of your children's immunizations, but you should also have a record of this information. An up-to-date record, showing kinds of immunization and dates received, helps you to cooperate with the doctor. It serves as a reminder of visits coming up and of remaining immunizations and booster doses that you won't want your youngsters to miss. It provides comforting evidence that your family is completely protected against eight serious diseases.

• In most States, children will not be allowed to enter or attend school unless they have records which prove compliance with all school immunization requirements.

• Your doctor or clinic will be happy to provide an immunization record form for you to keep. Most likely it will be an official State record. Have the doctor date and sign your personal record each time an immunization is given. That way, you can be sure that the information is current and correct.

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