Vaccines

Vaccines play an essential role in protecting your child’s health and well-being. As your family’s partner in care, board-certified pediatrician Min Jung, MD, can help your child stay up to date on their vaccine schedule at Sunny Hill Pediatrics in Frisco, Texas. Call the pediatric clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about the benefits of vaccines.

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are biological substances that help protect against various illnesses by stimulating your child’s immune response. By activating this natural reaction, vaccines keep your child safe and prevent infectious diseases and illnesses from spreading throughout your community.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by imitating an infection or virus. They contain small amounts of dead or weakened pathogens. When a vaccine is introduced into your child’s bloodstream, their immune system releases antibodies that help identify and fight the specific pathogen. This process allows the immune system to recognize and fight the same pathogen in the future.

Are vaccines really that important?

Vaccines are essential to promote safer, healthier communities. They are life-saving preventive measures that protect your child from potentially serious infectious diseases. They also keep diseases and illnesses from spreading. When most people get vaccinated, pathogens have fewer hosts to infect. 

Some vaccines have completely eradicated infectious diseases. For example, the United States hasn’t had an active smallpox case since 1949. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the vaccine has saved up to 200 million lives.

Are vaccines dangerous?

No, vaccines aren’t dangerous. The potential risks of remaining unvaccinated far outweigh their side effects. Because vaccines deliver small amounts of germs or viruses into the bloodstream, they can cause temporary flu-like symptoms. However, the most common side effects are short-term soreness and swelling at the injection site.

Failing to vaccinate your child increases their risk of contracting potentially deadly diseases and threatens your community’s overall health and well-being. 

If you’re concerned about the risks of a specific vaccine, share your worries with Dr. Jung. He can provide accurate information and educational guidance that allow you to make an informed decision about your child’s vaccine schedule.

How often does my child need vaccines?

Your child receives most of their vaccines during infancy and childhood. It’s important to follow the vaccine schedule at the ages Dr. Jung recommends to safeguard their immunity and ensure the highest level of disease protection. Children receive their first vaccine doses at birth and continue at regular intervals throughout early childhood.

Many vaccines require booster shots every few years, while others — like the yearly flu shot — offer annual boosters.

Dr. Jung prioritizes your child’s comfort and safety when administering vaccines. Call Sunny Hill Pediatrics today or schedule an appointment to learn more.