When your baby turns 18 months old, it's time for their next round of vaccinations. These shots help protect your child from a variety of serious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and whooping cough. Getting your child vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to keep them healthy.
In this article, we'll discuss what you need to know about 18-month shots, including which vaccines are given, why they're important, and what to expect after your child gets vaccinated.
The 18-month vaccinations are an important part of your child's immunization schedule. These shots help protect your child from a variety of serious diseases, and they're essential for keeping your child healthy. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about the vaccines, and make sure your child gets all of the recommended shots on time.
18 month shots
Protect your child from serious diseases.
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Polio
- Whooping cough
- Hepatitis A
- Meningitis
- Chickenpox
Talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, measles was a leading cause of death among children in the United States.
The measles vaccine is very effective at preventing measles. One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles, and two doses are 97% effective. The measles vaccine is also very safe. The most common side effects are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
Measles is still a common disease in many parts of the world, so it's important to make sure your child is vaccinated against measles. The measles vaccine is given in two doses, the first at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months of age.
If your child has not been vaccinated against measles, talk to your doctor about getting them vaccinated as soon as possible. Measles is a serious disease that can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread through contact with infected saliva or mucus. Measles can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps can also cause fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Before the mumps vaccine was introduced in 1967, mumps was a common childhood disease. Today, mumps is rare in the United States thanks to the vaccine.
The mumps vaccine is very effective at preventing mumps. One dose of the vaccine is 88% effective at preventing mumps, and two doses are 97% effective. The mumps vaccine is also very safe. The most common side effects are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
Mumps is still a common disease in many parts of the world, so it's important to make sure your child is vaccinated against mumps. The mumps vaccine is given in two doses, the first at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months of age.
If your child has not been vaccinated against mumps, talk to your doctor about getting them vaccinated as soon as possible. Mumps is a serious disease that can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.
Mumps is spread through contact with infected saliva or mucus. This can happen when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. Mumps can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs or countertops.
Rubella
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a viral infection that can cause a mild fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. Rubella is most dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the developing fetus. CRS can cause a variety of serious birth defects, including heart defects, blindness, and deafness.
- What are the symptoms of rubella?
The symptoms of rubella are usually mild and may include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and a runny nose. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
- How is rubella spread?
Rubella is spread through contact with infected saliva or mucus. This can happen when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. Rubella can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs or countertops.
- How can rubella be prevented?
The rubella vaccine is very effective at preventing rubella. One dose of the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing rubella, and two doses are 99% effective. The rubella vaccine is also very safe. The most common side effects are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
- Who should get the rubella vaccine?
The rubella vaccine is recommended for all children and adults. The vaccine is typically given in two doses, the first at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months of age.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against rubella. Rubella is a serious disease that can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.
Polio
Polio is a paralytic disease caused by the poliovirus. Polio can cause permanent paralysis of the arms, legs, or both. Before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, polio was a leading cause of disability in children in the United States.
The polio vaccine is very effective at preventing polio. Three doses of the vaccine are 99% effective at preventing paralytic polio. The polio vaccine is also very safe. The most common side effects are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
Polio has been eliminated from the United States and most other countries in the world. However, polio is still a common disease in some parts of the world, so it's important to make sure your child is vaccinated against polio.
The polio vaccine is given in three doses, the first at 2 months of age, the second at 4 months of age, and the third at 6-18 months of age. If your child has not been vaccinated against polio, talk to your doctor about getting them vaccinated as soon as possible.
Polio is spread through contact with infected feces or saliva. This can happen when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or uses the bathroom. Polio can also be spread through contact with contaminated food or water.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. Whooping cough causes severe coughing spells that can make it difficult to breathe. Whooping cough can also cause pneumonia, seizures, and brain damage. Before the whooping cough vaccine was introduced in 1926, whooping cough was a leading cause of death among children in the United States.
The whooping cough vaccine is very effective at preventing whooping cough. One dose of the vaccine is 85% effective at preventing whooping cough, and three doses are 95% effective. The whooping cough vaccine is also very safe. The most common side effects are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
Whooping cough is still a common disease in many parts of the world, so it's important to make sure your child is vaccinated against whooping cough. The whooping cough vaccine is given in five doses, the first at 2 months of age, the second at 4 months of age, the third at 6 months of age, the fourth at 15-18 months of age, and the fifth at 4-6 years of age.
If your child has not been vaccinated against whooping cough, talk to your doctor about getting them vaccinated as soon as possible. Whooping cough is a serious disease that can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.
Whooping cough is spread through contact with infected respiratory droplets. This can happen when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Whooping cough can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as toys or doorknobs.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is spread through contact with infected food or water, or through contact with an infected person's feces. Hepatitis A can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and light-colored stools.
- What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
The symptoms of hepatitis A can range from mild to severe. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. The most common symptoms of hepatitis A are fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and light-colored stools.
- How is hepatitis A spread?
Hepatitis A is spread through contact with infected food or water, or through contact with an infected person's feces. This can happen when an infected person does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom, or when they prepare food or drinks for others. Hepatitis A can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs or countertops.
- How can hepatitis A be prevented?
The hepatitis A vaccine is very effective at preventing hepatitis A. One dose of the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing hepatitis A, and two doses are 99% effective. The hepatitis A vaccine is also very safe. The most common side effects are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
- Who should get the hepatitis A vaccine?
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children and adults. The vaccine is typically given in two doses, the first at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months of age. However, the vaccine can be given at any age.
Hepatitis A is a serious disease that can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. If you are traveling to a country where hepatitis A is common, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated before you go.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Bacterial meningitis is the most serious type of meningitis and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
The meningitis vaccine is very effective at preventing meningitis. One dose of the vaccine is 90% effective at preventing meningitis, and two doses are 99% effective. The meningitis vaccine is also very safe. The most common side effects are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
Meningitis is still a common disease in many parts of the world, so it's important to make sure your child is vaccinated against meningitis. The meningitis vaccine is given in two doses, the first at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months of age.
If your child has not been vaccinated against meningitis, talk to your doctor about getting them vaccinated as soon as possible. Meningitis is a serious disease that can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.
Meningitis is spread through contact with infected respiratory droplets. This can happen when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Meningitis can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as toys or doorknobs.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Chickenpox causes an itchy rash of small blisters that can spread all over the body. Chickenpox can also cause fever, headache, and fatigue.
The chickenpox vaccine is very effective at preventing chickenpox. One dose of the vaccine is 85% effective at preventing chickenpox, and two doses are 98% effective. The chickenpox vaccine is also very safe. The most common side effects are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
Chickenpox is still a common disease in many parts of the world, so it's important to make sure your child is vaccinated against chickenpox. The chickenpox vaccine is given in two doses, the first at 12 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age.
If your child has not been vaccinated against chickenpox, talk to your doctor about getting them vaccinated as soon as possible. Chickenpox is a serious disease that can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.
Chickenpox is spread through contact with infected respiratory droplets. This can happen when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Chickenpox can also be spread through contact with infected blisters. Chickenpox is very contagious, and it can be spread easily from person to person.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about 18 month shots:
Question 1: What vaccines are given at 18 months?
Answer 1: At 18 months, your child will receive the following vaccines:
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Polio vaccine
- Whooping cough vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Meningitis vaccine
- Chickenpox vaccine
Question 2: Why are these vaccines important?
Answer 2: These vaccines are important because they protect your child from serious diseases. Measles, mumps, rubella, polio, whooping cough, hepatitis A, meningitis, and chickenpox can all cause serious health problems, including death.
Question 3: Are these vaccines safe?
Answer 3: Yes, these vaccines are safe. They have been tested extensively and have been shown to be safe for children. The most common side effects of these vaccines are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site.
Question 4: What should I do if my child has a reaction to a vaccine?
Answer 4: If your child has a reaction to a vaccine, you should call your doctor right away. Most reactions to vaccines are mild and go away on their own. However, some reactions can be more serious, so it's important to call your doctor if you're concerned.
Question 5: Can I choose not to vaccinate my child?
Answer 5: You have the right to choose not to vaccinate your child. However, it's important to remember that vaccines are the best way to protect your child from serious diseases. If you choose not to vaccinate your child, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this decision.
Question 6: Where can I get more information about 18 month shots?
Answer 6: You can get more information about 18 month shots from your doctor, your local health department, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
If you have any other questions about 18 month shots, please talk to your doctor.
Vaccines are an important part of keeping your child healthy. By vaccinating your child, you can help protect them from serious diseases.
Tips
Here are some tips for getting your child vaccinated at 18 months:
Tip 1: Schedule an appointment with your doctor or clinic in advance.
This will ensure that your child can get their shots on time. You can usually schedule an appointment online or by calling your doctor's office.
Tip 2: Bring your child's immunization record to the appointment.
This will help your doctor keep track of which vaccines your child has already received.
Tip 3: Be prepared for your child to have a reaction to the vaccines.
The most common side effects of vaccines are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site. These side effects usually go away on their own within a few days. You can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve their symptoms.
Tip 4: Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about vaccines.
Your doctor can help you understand the risks and benefits of vaccines and can address any concerns you have.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
Getting your child vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to keep them healthy. By following these tips, you can make sure that your child gets the vaccines they need on time.
Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect your child from serious diseases. By vaccinating your child, you are helping to keep them healthy and protecting the community as a whole.
Conclusion
Summary of Main Points:
The 18-month vaccinations are an important part of your child's immunization schedule. These shots help protect your child from a variety of serious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, whooping cough, hepatitis A, meningitis, and chickenpox.
Vaccines are safe and effective. They have been tested extensively and have been shown to be safe for children. The most common side effects of vaccines are fever, rash, and swelling at the injection site. These side effects usually go away on their own within a few days.
Getting your child vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to keep them healthy. By vaccinating your child, you are helping to protect them from serious diseases and you are also protecting the community as a whole.
Closing Message:
If you have any questions or concerns about the 18-month vaccinations, please talk to your doctor. Vaccines are an important part of keeping your child healthy, and they are the best way to protect your child from serious diseases.