How vaccines work

Natural infection from certain diseases can kill or seriously harm a child before their body is able to mount an effective immune response.

Vaccination is like a dress rehearsal for your immune system so it is prepared for the ‘real show’.

The vaccine triggers your own body’s natural immune response into action to protect you against the disease without the risk of infection.

Did you know? A less mature immune system and lack of physical development such as a smaller wind pipe means an infant or toddler is at much higher risk for serious complications and death from vaccine preventable diseases. This is another reason why it is important to immunize early and on time.

It’s just like… “Natural” is not always better. Most of us would not allow our children to drink unpasteurized milk even though it is “natural”.

 

Will multiple injections overwhelm or weaken my baby’s immune system?

NO, your baby’s immune system is AMAZING! It could handle thousands of vaccines even if they were given at the same time. New babies come into contact with millions of germs and their immune system protects them.

• Vaccines never “use up” your body’s immune system because the body is always making more and more immune system cells to protect you all the time.

Vaccines strengthen the immune system

• Immunizing against one disease can also protect your baby from other diseases.

Example: Getting immunized against chickenpox ALSO reduces your chance of contracting Flesh Eating Disease. A healthy child’s risk of developing Flesh Eating Disease is 40-60 times greater when they have chickenpox.

It’s just like... If you go to the gym and work out, it doesn’t make your body weaker, it makes you stronger and less susceptible to injury over time. Getting a vaccine is like getting an immune system work out!

Will vaccines work as well when given together?

YES, vaccines work just as well together. These vaccines are designed to protect the baby as soon as possible against more than one thing

• Babies do not experience more side effects when more than one vaccine is given at a time.
   

Does My Baby Really Need All of These Shots?

YES – these diseases could really harm or even kill your baby.

• Babies have strong immune systems which can protect them against many germs, but there are some germs which they can’t fight very well. Vaccines protect against these germs.
• Babies are most at risk to vaccine preventable diseases within the first two years of life, so it is important to protect your baby as soon as possible.
  
  It’s just like… Would you only buckle up your kids in the car half the time? Not getting all of your shots at the same time is like taking a chance of not strapping them in a seatbelt for the first six months of life. It’s important to protect them at all ages – that’s what vaccines given together actually do.

Seatbelts protect your baby’s body on the outside. Vaccines protect it on the inside.