Newborns and Vaccinations: What to Know About Infant Immunization

Although only two diseases have been completely eradicated thanks to vaccines (smallpox and rinderpest), these shots have made other serious illnesses increasingly rare. Vaccines can also help ease the symptoms of infections and help your immune system fight things off more efficiently. But what about vaccinations and newborns? How early should you start giving your children shots? Here, we'll review everything you need to know about infant immunization.

What are Vaccinations, and How Can They Protect Your Child?

Some vaccines reduce the severity of infections, while others help protect your child from potentially life-threatening diseases. Although there have been some recent debates surrounding early shots, childhood vaccination is essential to avoiding completely preventable yet potentially deadly illnesses.

Vaccines are safe and effective tools for helping prevent illnesses that could result in very severe and unpleasant symptoms. They're typically given during the early years of a child's life to help offer as much protection as possible. However, if you're concerned, it's best to speak with your pediatrician to better understand the benefits vs. risks.

Are There Risks of Childhood Vaccination?

While there is some speculation that vaccines cause autism, there's no scientific evidence that supports this claim. In fact, there's no scientific connection between the two at all.

However, they can cause some side effects. Often, these are mild and go away in a few days. Mild side effects are not a cause for concern and are actually a sign that the vaccines are doing their job. Regardless, it's important to seek medical attention immediately if you notice any severe reactions, such as an allergic reaction. Any allergic reactions tend to occur within a few minutes or hours after the vaccination, so it's good to keep a watchful eye. Some signs of a severe allergic reaction include:

• Swelling of the throat
• Swelling of the face
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Sleepiness
• Not wanting to eat
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Increased heart rate

Severe reactions from a vaccine are rare, and the benefits of vaccinations usually outweigh the risks. If you're concerned about newborn vaccinations, speak with your pediatrician.

Vaccine Recommendations for Newborns, Infants, and Children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following childhood vaccines are recommended for children up to six years old. Some require one dose, while others require multiple to be complete. A few routine vaccines must also be given regularly to continue benefiting from their protection. The following vaccines are recommended for babies and children:

Vaccines Your Child Needs Within 24 Hours of Birth

• Hepatitis B (HepB) — The first dose is given shortly after birth and protects against hepatitis B, a virus that can cause chronic liver infection, liver failure, or liver cancer. It’s especially important for newborns, as they are at higher risk of developing long-term complications if infected early.
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) — RSV is a common virus that can cause severe respiratory illness in infants and young children, particularly those under six months old or with underlying health conditions. The RSV vaccine, recently recommended for infants, can help protect against serious complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which can result in hospitalization. If the vaccine wasn't given to you during pregnancy, it's recommended shortly after birth during RSV season (typically fall and winter).

Vaccines from Two Months of Age to Six Years

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTap) — This combination vaccine provides immunity against three serious diseases:
  • Diphtheria: A bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system, which can lead to breathing issues, heart failure, and death.
  • Tetanus: Often known as “lockjaw,” this disease affects the nervous system and can lead to painful muscle stiffness, particularly in the jaw and neck.
  • Pertussis (Whooping Cough): This highly contagious respiratory disease is especially dangerous for infants, causing severe coughing fits that can make breathing difficult.
• Polio (IPV) — Polio is a viral disease that can cause paralysis or even death. While rare today, vaccination has nearly eradicated this disease globally. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is safe for infants and helps protect against the spread of the virus.
• Rotavirus (RV) — Rotavirus is a common cause of severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration in infants and young children. The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine given to infants to protect them against this highly contagious virus.
• Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) — Hib bacteria can cause serious infections in young children, including meningitis (an infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord) and pneumonia. The Hib vaccine protects infants from these life-threatening conditions.
• Pneumococcal Disease (PCV) — This vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections. Infants are particularly vulnerable to pneumococcal infections, making early immunization crucial.
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) — This combined vaccine, typically given around 12 to 15 months of age, protects against:
  • Measles: A highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious complications, especially in young children.
  • Mumps: Known for causing swelling in the salivary glands, mumps can also lead to hearing loss, meningitis, and other complications.
  • Rubella: Particularly dangerous for pregnant women, rubella can lead to congenital rubella syndrome in newborns, causing birth defects.
• Hepatitis A (HepA) — This vaccine is given starting at 12 to 23 months, with a second dose given six months later. It protects against hepatitis A—a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Although generally milder than hepatitis B, hepatitis A can still lead to symptoms like liver inflammation, nausea, fatigue, jaundice, and, in rare cases, severe liver complications. The virus spreads easily through contaminated food, water, or close contact, making vaccination essential for protecting children and preventing outbreaks.
• Varicella (Chickenpox) — Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause an itchy rash, fever, and fatigue. While often mild, it can lead to more serious complications, especially in infants. Vaccination is the best way to protect against chickenpox. Otherwise, early exposure may help reduce the chances of severe cases.
• Influenza (Flu) — Infants and young children are at a higher risk of severe complications from the flu. Annual flu vaccination is recommended once they reach six months old, offering protection against the seasonal strains that change each year.
• COVID-19 — COVID-19 vaccines are recommended to provide protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and potential complications from the virus. The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for children six months and older, though doses and schedules vary based on age and current health guidelines.

When to Schedule Your Child's First Vaccines

Your baby's first vaccine will typically be given shortly after birth. Then, you'll need to make sure your child gets vaccinated again at two, four, six, 12, 15, and 18 months (depending on the vaccine schedule you utilize). Remember that vaccines that require required doses usually require a specific amount of time between them. If the time between them is too long, the first dose may need to be repeated.

How Many Doses of Vaccines Do Children Need?

There are a few specific vaccinations that require more than one vaccine dose. According to the CDC, for optimal protection:

• Five doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis should be given over six years.
• Two doses of MMR
• Three or four doses of Hib
• Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine
• Four doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
• Four doses of polio vaccine
• Two doses of hepatitis A vaccine
• Yearly flu vaccine
• Yearly COVID-19 vaccine

While these are typical guidelines for vaccinating your children in a way that helps their bodies make antibodies, your care provider may have different recommendations. Therefore, it's important to work with them to help create a recommended vaccine schedule for your child.

When to Alter Childhood Immunization Schedules

There are certain situations where you may need to change your child's vaccination schedule. These should always be discussed with your pediatrician first to help create a customized plan of action based on your circumstances. Some examples that may warrant some variation include the following:

• If your newborn has an underlying condition that could result in adverse effects from a vaccine, speak to your pediatrician. This includes things like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), certain cancers, heart disease, sickle cell disease, and more.
• If there's a current outbreak in your area (i.e., a measles outbreak in an area where your baby may have been exposed).
• If traveling outside the U.S., your pediatrician may recommend additional vaccinations or a change to your baby's vaccine schedule.

To help strengthen your baby's immune system while you protect them from various illnesses, it's important to prioritize creating a healthy breastfeeding schedule. To help you make the most out of your feedings, don't forget to order your insurance-covered breast pump from Byram Healthcare today.