Your Child's Immunization Schedule

Immunizations save lives and protect the whole community by eradicating diseases. At Downers Grove Pediatrics in Downers Grove, and Bolingbrook, IL, pediatricians have a total of more than 40 years of experience and can help answer questions regarding immunizations and immunization schedules.

What are immunizations

The terms immunization, vaccination, and inoculation are often used interchangeably but actually have different meanings.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition:

• Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to protect against disease.
• Immunization is the process where a person is made immune to a disease.
• Inoculation is when doctors induce patients with a vaccine.

What is a vaccine?

A vaccine usually contains an agent (disease-causing microorganism) made from a weakened or dead microbe, its toxins, or one of its surface proteins. The agent provokes your body's immune system. This enables it to recognize the agent as a threat, destroy it, and prevent further disease by that agent or any agent similar to it.

Immunization schedule

Immunizations are an essential part of well-child care. Children younger than 12 are more vulnerable to viruses and medical concerns compared to adults, and more exposed to these viruses because they go to school.

Vaccines are a cost-effective way to manage children’s health care. With the help of their Downers Grove, and Bolingbrook, IL, pediatricians, you can dodge the expensive future procedures and hospital visits.

The current immunization schedule is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAPexternal icon), and American Academy of Family Physicians.

Note that if your child misses a shot, you don’t need to start over.

Do you need to speak with a pediatrician?

For more information about your child's immunization schedule, don't hesitate to contact Downers Grove Pediatrics in Downers Grove, IL, at (630) 852-4551, or in Bolingbrook, IL, at (630) 759-9230.