Vaccination FAQs: Addressing Concerns and Understanding the Importance of Immunizations

Concerned about your child getting vaccinations? Our team at West Park Pediatrics in Manalapan, Ocean, and Lakewood, NJ, address some of the most common concerns below. 

Pediatric Vaccination FAQs

 Your kids are your life, so, of course, you want to protect them. And vaccinations can be scary for kids, leaving parents wondering whether they are making the right decisions. Our team at West Park Pediatrics of Manalapan, Ocean, and Lakewood, NJ, understands and wants you to feel comfortable, so we’ve answered some of the most common questions and concerns below. 

What Exactly Do Vaccines Do? 

 When germs enter the body, the immune system develops antibodies to fight them. However, some germs that cause potentially fatal or very harmful diseases and illnesses can be harder to fight against. Vaccines help the body develop antibodies against such germs by entering a dead or very weakened form of it into the body. If a vaccinated person is later exposed to that illness or disease, their bodies are much more likely to fight it off. 

Won’t That Make My Child Sick? 

 Vaccines do not give your child the illness or disease they are trying to prevent. However, they can make your child feel a little rough for a day or two. This is simply because their energy is going toward developing those antibodies, which can be a bit tiring. It can also make them run a low fever. This is nothing to worry about, as it’s just the body doing what it’s supposed to do. 

Are Vaccines Really Necessary If Other Kids Are Vaccinated?

 There are a couple of different things to consider with this question. The first is that it’s not wise to rely on every other child being vaccinated. Many lack the recommended vaccines, so it’s always important to act as though not everyone around your child has had theirs. 

Another thing to consider is that a vaccine is used to develop antibodies in the vaccinated child to fight off germs. It does not mean that they are not carrying that germ. Therefore, even if every child at school is vaccinated, they could still pass the germ to your child. 

I’ve Heard That Vaccines Can Cause Autism. Is That True? 

 No. Many studies have been performed to test this theory and none have shown a link to autism. 

If you have any more questions or concerns about vaccinations, please feel free to reach out to our team at West Park Pediatrics in Manalapan, Ocean, and Lakewood, NJ. You can reach our Ocean Township office at (732) 531-0010, Manalapan Township office at (732) 577-0088, or Lakewood office at (732) 370-8500.