Are all the recommended vaccines necessary for children?

Childhood Vaccines: Necessity and Importance

All recommended childhood vaccines are necessary as they protect children from serious vaccine-preventable diseases, reduce mortality and morbidity, and contribute to public health by preventing disease outbreaks. 1

Why Children Need Multiple Vaccines

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend specific vaccines for children based on age-specific risks for disease acquisition, complications, and ability to respond to vaccines 1
• Multiple vaccines are needed because they protect against different diseases that pose serious health risks to children at various developmental stages 1
• The recommended childhood immunization schedule is designed to provide protection before children are exposed to potentially harmful infectious diseases 1, 2
• Some vaccines require multiple doses to develop appropriate and lasting immune responses, which explains why children need several shots of the same vaccine 1

Evidence Supporting Vaccine Necessity

• Vaccination has been described as a "global health and development success story" that prevents an estimated 2-3 million deaths annually worldwide 3
• National vaccination coverage for core vaccines like poliovirus, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, and varicella has reached ≥90% by age 24 months in the United States 4, 3
• When vaccination rates decline or children fall behind schedule, there is a risk of disease resurgence and outbreaks 2
• Only 1.2-1.3% of children in the US receive no vaccinations by age 24 months, demonstrating strong adherence to vaccination recommendations 4, 3

Consequences of Delayed or Missed Vaccinations

• Delays in immunization leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases during the time they are most susceptible 2
• Children who fall behind on the vaccination schedule are at increased risk of never completing the full vaccination course 2
• Failure to adhere to scheduled booster immunizations can result in resurgence of diseases that were previously well-controlled 2
• Timely vaccination is crucial because low overall rates of targeted diseases can mask the persistent threat they pose if adherence to vaccination schedules declines 2

Special Considerations for Specific Populations

• Children with certain medical conditions may require additional vaccines or modified schedules due to increased risk of complications from vaccine-preventable diseases 1
• Children with immunodeficiencies require special consideration for immunization, as they may be at increased risk for serious consequences of infections 1
• Some live vaccines are contraindicated for children with severe immunocompromising conditions, but most inactivated vaccines are safe and recommended 1
• Vaccination coverage tends to be lower among uninsured children and those insured by Medicaid compared to those with private health insurance 4, 3

Vaccine Safety and Administration

• Vaccines undergo rigorous testing for safety and efficacy before being recommended for routine use 5
• Most vaccines can be administered simultaneously when appropriate, which reduces the number of healthcare visits needed 1
• Licensed combination vaccines can be administered whenever components are indicated and not contraindicated, which can reduce the number of injections 1
• There are few true contraindications to vaccination, and many perceived contraindications (such as mild illness) should not prevent timely immunization 1

Best Practices for Maintaining Vaccination Schedule

• Any vaccine dose not administered at the recommended age should be given at subsequent medical encounters when indicated and feasible 1
• The vaccination series does not need to be restarted regardless of the time elapsed between doses 1
• Recommendations for minimum intervals between doses should be followed for children who have delayed immunizations or who need to accelerate their schedule 1
• Vaccine delivery should be coordinated with other preventive healthcare services for children 1

By following the recommended childhood immunization schedule, parents provide their children with the best protection against serious infectious diseases, contributing to both individual health and community immunity.