By now, you and Baby are probably quite experienced with vaccines. This can either mean that you’re a well-oiled machine with a plan that minimizes tears, or that it’s getting harder as they start to recognize the doctor’s office as the place with all of the needles. Either way though, the 1-year immunizations are the beginning of the slow down on vaccine frequency. After this visit, assuming Baby is already up to date on all of the rest of their vaccines, they will only have two more vaccines to get in the next year, and after that, aside from possible seasonal vaccines like the flu and COVID-19, they shouldn’t need more until their 4-year appointment.
What shots to expect
The three main shots Baby will be getting on this visit are the first MMR vaccine, which vaccinates against measles, mumps and rubella; the varicella vaccine, which vaccinates against chickenpox; and the first of 2 doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine. The MMR and varicella vaccines can be given as a combined vaccine, though the MMR-V does have an increased, though still small, risk of fever.
This is also a good time to get Baby caught up on any vaccines you may have missed, and depending on the season, it might be time for their flu shot.
Reasons to delay or skip vaccines
Most links between recommended vaccinations and health concerns have been studied over and over again, and do not exist. This especially includes autism, as there is no science to back this theory. In fact, a 2015 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows autism is not more prevalent in vaccinated children who may be genetically predisposed to autism than in unvaccinated children with the same predisposition. Rising rates of autism are a valid concern. But they are likely due to increased diagnosis and awareness, and environmental factors.
It’s rare, but some children may be asked to delay vaccination temporarily. These include kiddos who have a fever or who are very unwell on the date of their check-up. Some children with complex medical needs who have recently had a blood transfusion, low platelets, cancer or medications/illnesses that lower immune system function may also be ineligible for vaccination until those conditions change or improve. This is another reason for healthy children to be vaccinated and reduce the spread of illness to the most vulnerable children in our communities.
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