What you need to know about vaccinating your child

These days, we frequently encounter information about the spread of infectious diseases. Whether it's on TV, in the newspaper or on the Internet, health scares are a commonplace occurrence. Recent health concerns, like H1N1 and Avian Flu, have put many Americans on edge, causing them to get vaccinated in dense droves. Though the efficacy of these vaccinations hasn't yet been proven, a number of effective vaccines are available that dads need to know about to keep their children healthy.

Aside from a crucial Hepatitis B vaccination given at birth, your child should receive his first shots at 2 months of age. After this, you should keep up with all necessary shots and vaccinations by staying in touch with your doctor. It's common for a child to receive four or five more rounds of shots before they begin school.

While the vaccination regimen varies slightly according to state, there’s a number of standard vaccinations your son should receive before beginning kindergarten or first grade. Some of these are diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, polio and chickenpox. Contact a local school to find out what your state's requirements are.
Schools can be breeding grounds for infectious diseases, and children who haven't been vaccinated are usually the victims. Protect your child and community by learning everything you can about the vaccinations she should have. Ultimately, it's up to you as a parent to make sure that your child's vaccinations are up to date.