Can I Delay Getting My Child Immunized Until After the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Starting at birth, children routinely receive immunizations against a variety of dangerous diseases. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents may be waiting to begin—or resume—immunizations. Amy DeMattia, MD, MPH, Clinical Professor in Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains why it is important not to delay most immunizations and answers questions about the safety of the doctor’s office.
My child is very healthy. Why do they need to be immunized?
Immunizations are safe, very effective, and a routine part of pediatric health care. There are a number of important reasons to get your child immunized. First—and arguably most important—it can save your child’s life. We immunize children against 14serious diseases, including whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, mumps, measles,rubella, rotavirus, polio, chickenpox, hepatitis B, and meningitis.
Some of the conditions we immunize against can cause serious illness, complications such as loss of hearing or brain damage, or even death. The danger is not just in the developing world. In the United States, measles, mumps, and whooping cough infect and cause severe illness in children each year.
In addition, immunizations enable us to help protect each other. Some children cannot be safely immunized, including those who are too young, are immunocompromised, or are taking certain medications. If enough people are immunized against a disease, it means there is significantly less chance anyone will become infected. This is called “herd immunity.” The number of people who must be immunized depends on how contagious that condition is.
How do immunizations work?
Vaccines work by teaching the human body to recognize and fight off potentially harmful diseases. We give (either by mouth or through injection) a small amount of a weakened or dead virus or bacteria (called a pathogen) into the body. The body recognizes these pathogens as “foreign invaders” and responds by creating antibodies. Because the pathogens in the vaccine are already weakened or dead, they can’t hurt you. But the antibodies your body has developed can fight the infection—and “remember” the pathogen. Then, if the pathogen enters the body again, the antibody is already there, ready and able to fight it off. Some vaccines require more than one full dose to “teach” your child’s body to recognize and defend against the disease.
Can I delay getting my child immunized until after the pandemic?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the current immunization schedule based on how children’s immune systems respond to vaccines at various ages and how likely your child is to be exposed to a particular disease. It is important to follow the schedule so that your child is fully protected before possible exposure. Infants, like older people and those who are immunocompromised, are considered especially vulnerable. We want to get them the protection they need when they need it.
Is there any flexibility on delaying or spacing out vaccinations?
If you have any questions about vaccination scheduling, talk to your pediatrician first. Your doctor will know if there are any conditions that could affect your ability to delay an immunization.
In general, children under the age of two years require timely vaccination without any significant delay. There is more flexibility for children over age two, but this depends on the specific vaccination—not all can be delayed—and your family’s individual situation. For instance, in most cases you can take your child in for their second MMR vaccine anytime after four weeks from their first dose, though most children receive this vaccine between the ages of four and six years. Of note, however, many schools in New York State require two doses of the vaccine in order to attend. After one dose of the MMR vaccine, about 93 percent of people are immune to measles; the second dose raises that to 97 percent. While this might not seem like a big difference, it is significant in the world of immunology.
Is it safe to take my child to a doctor’s office?
We are fully committed to the safety of our patients and staff. While we understand that you may feel nervous, please know that we have put stringent protocols in place to protect every person, regardless of age.
