Patient FAQ

Immunizations

A. Why are there so many shots?

Many more diseases are being immunized against than just a few years ago.

The committee on immunization practices sets the immunization schedule and the spacing of immunizations. The manufacturers are sensitive to the number of immunizations given at one time and are making more combination vaccines to help minimize the number of "pokes" a child will get at any one visit.

B. What is the immunization schedule?

It is the timetable showing us which immunizations are to be given at what age. For those children who are behind there is a suggested “catch-up schedule”.

C. Do the shots have mercury in them?

As of 2007, only the multi-dose influenza injected vaccine has a significant amount of mercury in it. Mercury is used in the manufacturing process in many vaccines, but over 90% is removed before the vaccine is used. These vaccines are considered to be mercury-free.

D. Can my child get a disease from an immunization?

Although you may get some side effects from many of the vaccines given today, only the live-virus vaccines can give you the "disease" in which they are created prevent, and usually it’s a very mild case. Those vaccines are: MMR, Varivax, and RotaTeq.

E. What happens if we don't immunize our child?

Many of the illnesses and diseases that vaccines are intended for are still present in the USA. Your child is at risk for developing these diseases especially if he or she is not vaccinated. Additionally, not vaccinating your child can place innocent people he or she comes into contact with at risk for the disease. A great example of this is when an outbreak occurs at school. Finally, although parents are allowed by law to refuse immunizations for their children, in most municipalities, if your child is not immunized, he or she may not be excluded from attending school while that disease is present.

F. Are my immunizations covered by my insurance?

The mandated vaccines are covered by Medicaid insurance. If you have private insurance, you should contact your employer to see if they are covered and to what extent. The Vaccines For Children Act (VFC) covers children whose insurance does not cover vaccines, or for children who have no insurance.

G. If my child is immunized can he still get the disease later on?

Immunity conferred by a vaccine does wane over time. Adacel is given only once starting at 11 years of age,  all the other boosters are Td boosters every 10 years. Repeat MMR and Varivax immunizations are also recommended when your child enters school full time.

H. Does MMR cause autism?

In statistics, as in life, you can never say never. On the other hand all the best research into the question about the association of MMR with autism has not found a causal link. As for mercury and autism, the rate of autism has not gone down even though the mercury content of most vaccines is much less than it was 6 years ago.