At-a-glance guide to childhood vaccine preventable diseases

Help protect your child.

Why vaccines matter. Thanks to widespread vaccination programs, several diseases that can infect our children have been eliminated. But there are still outbreaks of serious vaccine-preventable diseases that threaten the health of our children.

That’s why immunizations against these 14 serious diseases are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s important to adhere to the complete schedule of recommended wellness visits to make sure your child is vaccinated on time, every time.

Skipping vaccinations is a serious risk.There are still outbreaks of serious, vaccine-preventable diseases. And that leaves babies and children who aren’t vaccinated vulnerable to dangerous—even deadly—infections. If we stopped vaccinating, even the few cases we have in the United States could very quickly lead to thousands of cases.

Follow the CDC’s full recommended vaccination schedule

at the back of this brochure.

Help protect them when they're most vulnerable.Making sure your child gets all the recommended vaccines is one of the most important steps you can take to help protect your child from infection. Receiving fewer than the recommended vaccinations leaves a child more vulnerable to catching serious diseases. And babies are more vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing. That’s why most vaccinations are scheduled to start when babies are 2 months old.

Vaccinate on time. Every time. Our children are at risk if parents skip vaccinations. So take the time to get familiar with 14 serious diseases and the vaccines that can help prevent them on the next few pages.

Answers to common questions parents ask.

Q. Do vaccines cause autism?

A. The National Institutes of Health funded a study that reviewed more than 20 major scientific studies and concluded that there is no evidence demonstrating vaccines cause autism.

Q. Are vaccines more dangerous than the diseases they protect against?

A. No. The safety and effectiveness of vaccines are tested in well-controlled scientific studies before they are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Q. Are multiple vaccines too much for a child to receive in one day?

A. No. According to the CDC, scientific data show that getting several vaccines at the same time does not cause any chronic health problems. And because the CDC recommends vaccination against 14 serious diseases, it’s important to complete the full schedule to build your child’s immunity.

Help protect your child. Don't skip a doctor visit or a vaccine.

Q. Do vaccines have side effects?A. All vaccines can produce side effects. The most common include pain, redness, or tenderness where the injection is given. Though not common, serious side effects may occur, including allergic reactions; persistent, inconsolable crying; high fever; or seizures associated with fever. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any side effects.

Turn the page for the CDC’s full recommended vaccine schedule

For Parents†

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CHICKENPOX

Chickenpox is a virus that can cause an itchy, blistery rash all over the body, and is generally accompanied by a fever and drowsiness. It is transmitted from person to person through the air or by

contact with fluid from the rash. Serious complications may include skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and even death.

DIPHTHERIA

Diphtheria is caused by bacteria that live in an infected person’s mouth or throat, and can cause a sore throat or fever, and may obstruct breathing. Sneezing or coughing can spread these bacteria

from person to person. Serious complications may include heart failure, paralysis, and death.

HIB (Haemophilus influenzae TYPE B)

Hib is caused by bacteria that are spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. It can cause ear infections and serious throat swelling. If Hib bacteria enter a person’s bloodstream, they can cause

meningitis, pneumonia, and other problems. Serious complications may include permanent brain damage and death.

HEPATITIS AHepatitis A is a virus found mostly in bowel movements, and is spread by personal contact or through contaminated food or water. It can cause liver disease, which can result in stomach pain,

vomiting, fever, and other problems. Serious complications may include liver failure that leads to death.

HEPATITIS BHepatitis B is a virus that can cause liver disease and yellow skin or eyes (jaundice). It can spread through contact with infected blood or other body fluids, or from mother to baby at birth. Serious

complications may include chronic liver disease, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, and death.

FLU (INFLUENZA)Flu is a virus that is spread from person to person by droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking, or from surfaces that have the virus on them. The flu can cause fever, sore throat, cough, chills,

and muscle aches. Serious complications may include pneumonia, inflammation of the heart, and death.

MEASLESMeasles is a virus that can cause a rash all over the body, fever, runny nose, and cough. It is very contagious and is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and even breathing.

Serious complications may include pneumonia, seizures, permanent brain damage, and even death.

Vaccinate on time. Every time.Don’t leave your child vulnerable to these

vaccine-preventable diseases.

MUMPSMumps is a virus that can cause fever, headache, and inflammation of the salivary glands, which leads to swelling of the cheeks and jaws. Person-to-person transmission occurs through the air.

Serious complications may include meningitis, and occasionally encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or deafness, and even death.

PERTUSSIS (WHOOPING COUGH)Pertussis is caused by bacteria that are spread from person to person through the air. The disease can cause violent coughing spells that can affect eating, drinking, and even breathing.

Serious complications may include pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy (brain infection), and death.

POLIOPolio is a very contagious virus that can cause paralysis. Most infected people show no symptoms. It is spread through contact with the stool of an infected person or by droplets from a sneeze or

cough. Serious complications may include weakness in arms or legs (or both), paralysis, and death.

PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASEPneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that are spread by airborne droplets, or by direct contact with infected saliva or mucus. Invasive disease can cause cough, fever and chills, chest

pain, ear infections, blood infections, and difficulty breathing. Serious complications may include bacterial meningitis, which may lead to death.

ROTAVIRUSRotavirus spreads easily by hands, diapers, or objects that have a small amount of infected stool on them. This virus causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Serious complications may

include severe diarrhea leading to extreme dehydration, which can cause death.

RUBELLA (GERMAN MEASLES)Rubella is an airborne virus that causes swollen glands, a slight fever, rash, and occasionally arthritis-like symptoms. It is a mild disease in children. Serious complications are found in babies if the

mother has been infected during pregnancy. The baby may be born deaf or blind, with a damaged heart or small brain, or be mentally impaired.

TETANUS (LOCKJAW)Tetanus is a bacterial disease that enters through the skin from deep cuts and puncture wounds. Tetanus may cause headache, irritability, and spasms in the jaw muscles. Serious complications may

include inability to swallow, muscle cramps so strong that they can break a child’s bones, and often death.

Be sure to follow the full vaccination schedule recommended by the CDC.

More resources for you. Log on today.

• Personalized online vaccination schedule www.vaccinecalendar.com

The organizations listed below have created helpful websites that provide additional information about childhood vaccinations.

*These websites are neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer does not endorse and is not responsible for the content or services of these sites.

PP-PNP-USA-1319 © 2019 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA/May 2019

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention* www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents

• American Academy of Pediatrics* www.healthychildren.org

• American Academy of Family Physicians* www.familydoctor.org