Frequently Asked Questions About Childhood Immunizations

Childhood vaccinations provide immunizations to serious and sometimes deadly diseases, including measles, whooping cough and polio. While these shots are essential for every child, most parents will have questions about the immunization process. To help, we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions. If you would like additional information about vaccines or immunizations schedules, please give us a call. We are happy to schedule a consultation to discuss any questions or concerns.

What diseases do vaccines protect children against?

Immunizing your baby with vaccines protects against serious diseases like measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, influenza and more.

When should I vaccinate my child?

You can find the full immunization schedule for children on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website or the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) website. The MSDH website also outlines what immunizations are required for children to enroll in school in Mississippi. Your pediatrician should also outline this schedule for you.

Your child will receive their first vaccine at birth for hepatitis B. From there, at least five immunization visits are required before the age of two, but those visits can be timed with your well-child check-ups. Multiple immunization visits are necessary because most vaccines require two or more doses.

How can I keep track of what immunizations my child has had?

It is important that parents keep home records of their child's vaccinations. With each check-up, we provide parents with an immunization form from the state. We also maintain records of every shot your child has received at our clinic. Mississippi also has a centralized Immunization Registry that any healthcare provider or school nurse can access. You can request immunization records for yourself or your child by calling the state Immunization Office at (601) 576-7751.

What should I do if my child is behind on their immunizations?

If your child is behind on their vaccinations, the CDC has provided a catch up schedule for children on their website. We are also happy to answer any questions and help your child get caught up on their vaccines.

Why do immunizations start so early?

Children are susceptible to serious, even deadly diseases at a young age; that's why they must receive vaccinations early.

Can my child experience side effects from a vaccine shot?

Vaccines are some of the safest and most effective medicines we have. While they may cause some side effects, most are minor, will only last a couple of days and are treatable. Examples include a low-grade fever and soreness where the shot was given. While severe reactions are rare, if your child does experience an extreme reaction, call your pediatrician.

Is it safe to get a vaccine shot if my child is sick?

If your child is sick when they are scheduled to receive a vaccination shot, your pediatrician can help you decide which vaccines are still safe to receive. Typically, if your child has a cold without a fever, it is safe for them to get a vaccine shot. 

Should my child get a flu shot?

Kids should get a flu shot every year. This is especially important as we head into a flu season that will see many influenza-like viruses.

Why do we need to vaccinate children for a disease that has been eliminated?

While diseases like polio and measles are rare or nonexistent in the United States, they still exist in other parts of the world. We continue to vaccinate against them because it's possible to come into contact with illnesses through travel. In recent years, there have been measles outbreaks in several U.S. states, even though the disease was declared eliminated from the country in 2000.

What should I do if I cannot afford my child's vaccinations?

The Vaccines for Children program (VFC) is designed to allow children to receive free vaccinations. Eligible children include those who receive Medicaid, Native Americans or Alaskan Natives, and children who have health insurance that does not cover vaccination. These underinsured children can receive immunizations at Lafayette Pediatric Clinic, or any other Federally Qualified Health Center, Community/Rural Health Center or Public Health Department. To locate a VFC provider, visit the database on the MSDH website.

What should I do if my child is scared of shots?

For children four years and older, it's helpful to tell them exactly what's going to happen at the doctor's appointment. Explain how the visit will go, that they will be receiving a shot and why they will be receiving a shot. It can also be helpful to explain that while there will be a small pinch when they receive the shot, the discomfort will not last for long. There is also a great episode of the PBS cartoon “Daniel Tiger” that your child might find helpful.

For a visit, try bringing a comforting item, like a favorite book or stuffed animal, to help calm and distract your child. For older children, try practicing coping mechanisms such as deep breathing during the visit.