Give Immunization Your Best Shot

Has this ever happened to you? On the day she's supposed to get her shots, your infant wakes up with the sniffles. You or your doctor decides to hold off on the vaccination. The opportunity slips by and, for one reason or another, your child never gets that shot.

She wouldn't be the only one. For a variety of reasons every year, nearly one million children under age 2 aren't fully immunized against polio, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria or other preventable diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most parents catch up by the time children go to school, because most schools require up-to-date immunizations. Still, many children go unprotected in their most vulnerable years.

Overcoming confusion and fear

Some parents slip because they're confused about when vaccinations should or should not be given. "Most parents -- and many physicians, as well -- think that a baby with the sniffles or a low-grade fever or an ear infection should not get a shot," says Jerold Aronson, M.D., a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "These types of minor illnesses aren't enough reason to delay an immunization."

Some parents cite fear of side effects for skipping immunizations. The risks of the diseases prevented by vaccines are much greater than the risks of immunization, which are minimal.

Working with your doctor

Keeping your child's immunizations up to date requires a partnership between you and your physician. Parents should map out immunization schedules with their doctors while their baby is still a newborn. Remember that two or more shots can often be given at the same time. Your child may require up to four shots at any given visit

A few simple suggestions can help you keep up with an immunization schedule:

• Whenever possible, have immunizations done during well-baby visits and checkups.

• Remember that two or more shots often can be given at the same time.

• Keep your own record of immunizations in a handy, secure place.

• Check your child's immunization status at every visit to your doctor's office.

• Keep your own record of immunizations in a handy, secure place. Bring it to your doctor at every visit so that it can be updated.