Date last reviewed:
Tuesday, Jun 18, 2024
Following BC’s recommended immunization schedule gives your child the best protection against 14 potentially serious diseases. The recommended schedule is safe, effective, and based on science.
Learn 6 reasons why following the schedule and vaccinating on time is important.
1. Early protection
The immunization schedule is designed to protect your child early in life before they are likely to be exposed to serious diseases and when they are most vulnerable. For instance, whooping cough (pertussis) can be very dangerous for babies. That's why they start getting the pertussis vaccine when they're just 2 months old. It’s best to immunize your child before they are exposed to dangerous diseases.
2. Ideal timing
The immunization schedule is designed to give your child protection against 14 diseases at just the right time. When a vaccine is given is based on how a child's immune system responds to the vaccine at certain ages and how likely a child is to be exposed to a disease and have complications. Doctors, public health professionals, and scientists design the schedule to ensure it is safe and effective.
3. Every vaccine and dose matters
Each vaccine is made to keep your child safe from a specific disease. Some vaccines require more than one dose to build strong enough immunity to protect your child or to boost immunity that fades over time. Your child needs the flu shot every year because the virus changes. Every dose of each vaccine on the schedule is important.
4. Protecting others
When your child gets their shots on time, they are less likely to get a disease and spread it. This helps protect others, including babies too young for immunizations and people who can't get vaccinated because of health issues. Ensuring your child gets immunized on time helps keep your family, friends, and community safe.
5. Not following the schedule is risky
Putting off, skipping, or spacing out vaccines leaves children at risk of getting diseases when they are most likely to have serious complications. Spacing out vaccines also means more trips to the clinic and more discomfort for your child, which could make them scared of needles. Following the immunization schedule ensures your child is protected when they need it and in the most efficient, safe, and effective way.
6. Long-term protection
Antibodies your baby receives before birth and through breast/chestfeeding provide some protection during the first few months of life, but this protection is limited and temporary. Immunization provides long-term protection. To make sure your child is protected for the long term, it's important to stick to the recommended schedule.
