Here’s the problem. The schedule that the CDC recommends that we follow was based on recommendations from a panel of medical and public health experts called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In order to develop recommendations for each vaccine, ACIP meets regularly throughout the year to review data on new and existing vaccines, and considers, among other things: The safety and efficacy of vaccines when given at specific ages The severity of the disease that the vaccine is aimed at preventing How many children get the disease if there is no vaccine The differences in how well vaccines work at different ages Notice something? In recommending a vaccine schedule, these experts take timing and age into account. It’s not a random coincidence or what-the-hell approach to have so many vaccines given before age 2. Nope. There’s actually a really good reason. When a baby is born, she emerges into the world protected by the mother’s antibodies against some diseases. A infant born to a mother vaccinated against measles will have some antibodies to these diseases at birth — that is, for a time being after birth the baby is protected against disease just because of a vaccinated Mom. But as time goes on, the baby loses it’s inherited immunity. By the time babies are 6 months old, 99% of them (born to vaccinated moms) will have lost all maternal antibodies to measles. (The number is similar for children born to mothers with natural immunity — ie., Mom had measles at some point). The CDC recommends the combined MMR vaccine between ages 12 months and 15 months. Why that age? Well, it turns out that the vaccine is not proven to be maximally effective in kids younger than 12 months. So, the recommendation is based on the scientific data showing the earliest and most effective (and safe) time to give the MMR vaccine.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:45:49 +0000