Give Your Baby a Shot at Good Health

If you have just had a baby, you can help him or her stay healthy by getting the vaccines (shots) the doctor recommends.

• Your baby needs many shots in the first year. They will help protect your child from serious diseases, including polio and pertussis (whooping cough). Some of these diseases are on the rise in the U.S. They can cause serious illness and even death.
• Vaccines are usually safe, but sometimes minor side effects can happen. The most common are soreness where the shot is given or a slight fever. Very rarely, a child can have a more severe reaction to a shot. But it is still much safer for your baby to have a vaccine.