Suggested Vaccines from Birth to 6 years
Rsv antibody: viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs (Pneumonia/infection of the lungs)
Hepatitis B: viral infection of the liver (liver infection, failure, cancer, and death)
Rotavirus: Viral infection of the gut spreading to the mouth (severe diarrhea, dehydration, death)
DTaP:
- Diphtheria: illness from toxic bacteria infecting the nose, throat and skin (swelling of heart muscle, heart failure, coma, paralysis, death)
- Pertussis/whooping cough: bacterial infection of the lung and airway (pneumonia, death)
- Tetanus/lockjaw: bacterial infection of the brain and nerves entering through broken skin (seizures, broken bones, difficulty breathing, death)
Hib: bacterial infection of the lungs, brain and spinal cord, or bloodstream (brain damage, hearing loss, loss of arm or leg, death)
Pneumococcal: bacterial infections of ears, sinuses, lungs, or bloodstream (pneumonia, blood poisoning, infection of brain and spinal cord lining, death)
Polio: viral infection of nerves and brain (paralysis and death)
Covid-19: viral infection of the nose, throat, or lungs (pneumonia, blood clots, liver, heart, or kidney damage, long COVID, death
Flu: viral infection of the nose throat and lungs (pneumonia, sinus and ear infections, worsening of heart or lung conditions, death)
MMR:
- Measles/rubeola: viral infection with high fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose, and rash (brain swelling, pneumonia, death)
- Mumps: viral infection with fever, tiredness, swollen cheeks, tender or swollen jaw (brain swelling, painful and swollen testicles or ovaries, deafness, death
- Rubella/german measles: viral infection that causes low-grade fever, sore throat, and rash (can cause miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, severe birth defects)
Chickenpox/varicella: viral infection with fever, headache, itchy, blistering rash
Hepatitis A: viral infection of the liver (liver failure and death)
Suggested Vaccines from 7 to 18 years
HPV: viral infection spread through close skin-to-skin touching/sex (genital warts and cancers)
Tdap:
- Diphtheria: illness from toxic bacteria infecting the nose, throat and skin (swelling of heart muscle, heart failure, coma, paralysis, death)
- Pertussis/whooping cough: bacterial infection of the lung and airway (pneumonia, death)
Meningococcal ACWY + B: bacterial infection of brain and spinal cord lining or the bloodstream (loss of arm or leg, deafness, seizures, death)
Flu: viral infection of nose, throat, and lungs (pneumonia, sinus and ear infections, worsening of heart or lung conditions, death
Covid-19: viral infection of the nose, throat, or lungs (pneumonia, blood clots, liver, heart, or kidney damage, long COVID, death
Mpox: viral infection causing painful rash, fever, headache, tiredness, cough, runny nose, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes after skin-to-skin contact/sex (Infected sores, brain swelling, infection of the lungs (pneumonia), eye infection, blindness, death)
Dengue: viral infection from mosquitos with fever, headache, pain behind eyes, rash, joint pain, body ache, nausea, loss of appetite, feeling tired, abdominal pain (Severe bleeding, seizures, shock, damage to the liver, heart, and lungs, death)
Vaccine Mandates in the Era of Misinformation
Florida aims to ban vaccine mandates for schoolchildren
While the mandate has not yet been lifted, suggesting to end required vaccinations puts millions of infants, children and adolescents at risk. Florida, being the first state to seriously consider abolishing the mandate, is especially dangerous due to the high number of travelers and tourists.
Florida plans to nix vaccine mandates. How well do they work?
The argument to do away with the federal mandate means the government does not have to pay to keep vaccines as well stocked, creating less access to those who still want to ensure their children can be protected from these contagious viral and bacterial infections.
Many states and doctors are weighing in to combat this decision, understanding that herd immunity will continue to drop if Florida does abolish the mandate, encouraging other states to follow suit.
Why Florida’s plan to end vaccine mandates will likely spread to other conservative states
Unease with vaccines grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently expanded restrictions on the COVID-19 vaccine are being combated by 26 states, who are allowing it without a doctor’s prescription, and many are working to keep the vaccine free under insurance. The most recent COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the CDC are making it harder for children (especially of lower income families and uninsured children) to access the vaccine .
Republican majority states are less likely to support the protection of vaccines, following the president’s administration’s lead in dismantling the system.
Former Anti-Vaccine Mom Explains How Movement Pulled Her In, And How She Left
The NPR podcast linked above features a mom who became anti-vax when her child was born because she didn’t feel supported by the nurses assisting her. When COVID took over the world, the mom vaccinated all three of her children after watching a pediatrician’s TikTok explaining some beliefs that aren’t supported by scientific studies.
What to Expect After Receiving a Vaccine
Possible Side Effects from Vaccines
A majority of vaccines used from 0-18 years old cause swelling, redness, and soreness of the affected area with a fever, fussiness, and vomiting/diarrhea for a short period. Side effects can differ in intensity, and if there are concerns, caregivers should discuss possibilities with their providers. Fevers over 105°F, non-stop crying for over three hours, and seizing are all signs to contact your provider or travel to urgent care facilities. Please see the CDC’s possible side effects for more information!
You can sign up for Vaccines at CVS, Walgreens, Costco, your doctors office, and several other locations!
Social Work Roles and Resources 