When you become a parent for the first time, it can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to all the vaccinations your child needs. There are vaccines to protect against about 14 different kinds of diseases and it doesn’t just protect your child but also the community by preventing the spread of infection. If it’s time to bring your child in for a vaccine, our Metairie and Covington, LA, allergist Dr. Alan Sheen is here to help.

Why are vaccines important for children?

The biggest benefit to keeping your child up to date with vaccines is that you are giving their bodies what they need to protect against certain viruses and diseases that could cause serious complications or sometimes, even death. It’s particularly important for school-age children to get the vaccines they need before school to reduce their risk for exposure to serious diseases. In most cases, schools will require proper documentation from our Metairie and Covington, LA, allergy doctor to make sure that all children are properly vaccinated before the school year.

Vaccines are preventive; therefore, this is one way to reduce the cost of your child’s health care. Vaccines prevent infections that if contracted could require certain treatments, procedures or even hospitalizations. By getting your child immunized, you can save on medical costs and prevent your child from having to undergo invasive procedures and treatments due to an infection.

Furthermore, there are some people within the community that cannot be vaccinated. Perhaps they have certain disorders, have weak immune systems or are too young for all their vaccinations (this is the case with newborns). By making sure your child is vaccinated, you not only protect your little one from getting sick but also your own family members and members of the community who may not be able to get vaccinated.

Are immunizations safe?

We know that some parents are concerned about the safety of childhood vaccinations. All vaccines undergo rigorous testing and must be approved by the FDA to be safe and effective. Of course, children who have known allergies to certain components within a vaccine will not get that specific vaccine. Serious side effects are rare; however, some children may develop minor side effects like a low-grade fever, headache, or swelling and soreness near the injection site. These symptoms will go away on their own and aren’t a cause for concern.

It’s time to protect your child against a host of serious illnesses. Call (504) 456-1999 to schedule an appointment at our Metairie, LA, allergist’s office or (985) 246-6077 to schedule an appointment at our Covington, LA, office. Schedule your child’s next series of immunizations with Dr. Sheen today!