Now that we’re in the fall season, you may be worried about your kids getting sick. If you’re like most parents, you’re considering what immunizations you and your family should get.
So, what do you need to know?
Dr. Delene Musielak, a staff physician at St. Elizabeth’s Covington Primary Care office who specializes in internal medicine and pediatrics, breaks it down.
1. Always keep immunizations up to date.
Ideally, your child should have had his or her well-child check-up or school physical before starting school.
“Immunizations are one of the most effective preventative health measures we have,” Musielak said.
2. Be informed.
Keep an open dialogue with your child’s provider. At the end of the day, pediatricians and parents have a shared goal of what’s best for the child, so if you have questions, ask them. Pediatricians want to explain what they’re recommending for your child and usually are more than happy to provide you with additional resources.
3. Be aware of the risks.
Parents also should be aware of what’s at stake if they choose not to immunize.
At her Covington office last winter, Musielak and her staff treated three active cases of whooping cough, and this past summer, saw two cases of measles.
“It should hit home to parents that right here locally, we’ve seen cases of measles and pertussis,” Musielak said. “That should motivate parents to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to immunize my child because there might be another parent who’s not getting their child immunized and that increases my child’s risk of being infected with one of those illnesses.’”
4. Get your child’s flu shot sooner rather than later.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months or older.
Flu shots are usually available at the beginning of September and are offered throughout the flu season, even in January or later. Influenza viruses typically start circulating in October ““ peaking in January or February ““ and it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection from the flu.
5. Know the side effects of immunizations.
It’s important to know what’s normal and what’s abnormal after an immunization.
Common, minor side effects include soreness at the site of injection, a low-grade fever and fussiness.
Abnormal, potentially serious side effects include a high-grade fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea or numbness and tingling. If any of these side effects occur, call your provider right away.
