Path to improved well being

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), any U.S. resident could experience a power outage. However, customers in Alabama, Iowa, Connecticut, Oklahoma, and Louisiana experienced the most time with interrupted power in 2020. Severe weather was a factor in all these states.

If you or another person in your home relies on medical equipment, plan ahead for a power outage.

• Make a list of everyone in your household who relies on electricity for medical needs. This could include breathing machines (CPAP, respirators, ventilators), power wheelchairs and scooters, oxygen, suction, or home dialysis equipment, and even a refrigerator to store medicine, such as insulin. Post this list in an area in your home that everyone (including babysitters or overnight guests) can read.
• Plan for how you will power/manage each item in the event of a power outage. You plan may include backup batteries, a generator, and even asking local authorities (such as a hospital, fire station, and energy provider) for assistance. It’s best to reach out to these sources in advance of a power outage to ask how and if they can help. Also, determine which items could become an emergency depending upon the amount of time the power is out. For example, if you must refrigerate medicine, you can go longer without power if you don’t constantly open and close the refrigerator door.
• Identify emergency lighting, safe heating alternatives, and backup power sources for your mobile devices, appliances, and medical equipment.
• Create an emergency power plan that includes model and serial numbers for your medical devices.
• Have all equipment instruction manuals located in one easy place to find in the event of a power outage. Read the user manual or contact the manufacturer to find out if your medical device is compatible with batteries or a generator.
• Fully charge your cellphone, battery-powered medical devices, and backup power sources if you know a disaster, such as a hurricane, is coming.
• If possible, buy manual alternatives for your electric devices that are portable, dependable, and durable. For example, a manual wheelchair, walker, or cane as a backup for an electric scooter.

Things to consider

Power outages can impact everyone differently, based on where you live and your community’s age and utility infrastructure. For example, people who live in rural areas and places with an aging infrastructure may experience more frequent and longer-lasting power outages. They may also have limited access to the supplies they need to prepare for power outages. Power outages can also put people at increased risk for post-disaster hazards, such as food and carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Backup power sources

There are two types of backup power solutions and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Things to remember for each, include:

Battery

• If you use hearing aids, keep a supply of hearing aid batteries on hand.
• Create a plan for how to recharge batteries when the electricity is out.
• Check with your vendor/supplier to find alternative ways to charge batteries. Examples include connecting jumper cables to a vehicle battery or using a converter that plugs into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter or accessory outlet. If you substitute a vehicle battery for a wheelchair battery, the charge will not last as long as a charge for a wheelchair’s deep-cycle battery. If you use a motorized wheelchair or scooter, try to store a lightweight manual wheelchair for emergency use.
• Stored extra batteries require periodic charging even when they are unused. If your survival strategy depends on storing batteries, closely follow a recharging schedule.
• Know the working time of any batteries that support your systems.
• When you have a choice, choose equipment that uses batteries that are easily purchased from nearby stores.

Generator:

• Make sure use of a generator is appropriate and realistic. A 2,000 to 2,500-watt gas-powered portable generator can power a refrigerator and several lamps. (A refrigerator needs to run only 15 minutes an hour to stay cool if you keep the door closed. So, you could unplug it to operate other devices.).
• Operate generators in open areas to ensure good air circulation. The challenge when you live in an apartment is knowing how to safely store enough gasoline. Have a gas siphon kit on hand.
• Test your generator from time to time to make sure it will work when needed. Some generators can connect to the existing home wiring systems.
• Always contact your utility company regarding critical restrictions and safety issues.

The Food and Drug Administration’s “How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages” guide for home medical device users is another useful planning resource. Use it to organize your medical device information, identify the supplies for the operation of your device, and know where to go or what to do during a power outage.

Life support needs

Contact your power and water companies about your needs for life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) in advance of a disaster. Many utility companies keep a “priority reconnection service” list and map of the locations of power-dependent customers for use in an emergency. Ask the customer service department of your utility companies if this service is available. Note that even if you are on the “priority reconnection service” list, your power could still be out for many days following a disaster. It is vital that you have power backup and other options for your equipment. For example:

• Ventilator users should keep a resuscitation bag handy. The bag delivers air through a mask when squeezed.
• If you receive dialysis or other medical treatments, ask your health care provider for the plans in an emergency and where you should go for treatment if your usual clinic is not available after an emergency.
• If you use oxygen at home, check with your doctor to see if you can use a reduced flow rate in an emergency to extend the life of the system. Label your equipment with the reduced flow numbers so that you can easily refer to them. Avoid areas where there are gas leaks or open flames and post “Oxygen in Use” signs in your home. You should also use battery powered flashlights or lanterns rather than gas lights or candles when oxygen is in use (to reduce fire risk) and keep the shut-off switch for oxygen equipment near you so you can get to it quickly in case of an emergency.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Will a power outage immediately affect my condition or put me in danger?
• How long will mine or family member’s home medical device last without electricity?
• Can the power company or fire station help in the event of a power outage?
• Will my medical equipment alert me if the power outage occurs in the middle of the night while sleeping?
• How should I prepare for a power outage when traveling with my medical device?

Resource

Americans with Disabilities Act National Network: Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: #PrepYourHealthForPowerOutages

CompleChild.org: Surviving a Power Outage with Complex Medical Issues

Read.gov: National Preparedness Month

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There are many things to think about when you’re going to have a baby. One of those is where you’ll go through labor and delivery. A hospital used to be your only choice. Today, women have more options.

Path to improved health

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 98% of women give birth in hospitals. The rest either give birth at home or in freestanding birth centers. There are advantages and disadvantages to each location.

Hospital

A hospital is the safest place to deliver your baby. Sometimes there can be complications with the birth. A hospital has everything you or your baby might need if this happens.

Different hospitals offer different experiences for labor and delivery. In a traditional hospital birth, you may go through several different rooms. This could include one for labor, one for delivery, and one for recovery. Usually, the babies are brought to your room for feedings and visits. The rest of the time, they stay in a nursery.

Other hospitals have developed more family-centered care. You stay in one room for labor, delivery, and recovery. The rooms are larger to accommodate family members. They are usually furnished more like a home. Your partner can usually stay with you in these rooms. Your baby stays with you, as well. These types of settings are more popular in hospitals today.

You should have your baby in a hospital if:

• You or your baby has problems during the pregnancy
• You have had a premature birth, a cesarean delivery (c-section), or other complicated delivery before
• You have an existing issue, such as gestational diabetes, that makes your pregnancy more complicated
• You are pregnant with twins or multiples
• The baby is in a position that will make delivery more difficult
• You go into labor early
• You are 35 years or older
• You have not gone into labor by 41 weeks

Advantages

• A team of experts is available right away in case something goes wrong.
• You can have pain relief if you need it.
• Emergency services are available for your baby if they are distress after birth.

Disadvantages

• It may be more stressful and less comfortable.
• You’ll have fewer options for delivery.
• You may have more medical interventions that you’d like.
• You might not know the doctor who delivers your baby.
• You will probably have to move rooms or be discharged quickly after birth.

Birth Center

These centers are set up to provide you with more options in your delivery and less medical intervention. Certified nurse-midwives deliver your baby instead of an obstetrician or a physician. They offer more natural options for labor and delivery. They are designed to make you feel more at home. That way your delivery is more of a natural event than a medical one.

You should look for a center that is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC). Make sure the center has agreements with a local hospital in case problems come up in labor or delivery.

Birth centers often allow as many people as you wish to attend your delivery. They offer options like Jacuzzi tubs or water births. They also don’t interfere as much with your labor process. You are monitored occasionally instead of being hooked up to machines for constant monitoring. Some women prefer this more natural experience of childbirth.

Advantages

• The surroundings are usually more comfortable than a hospital.
• You’re more likely to know the midwife or doctor delivering your baby.
• You won’t have to move rooms.
• If something goes wrong, you’re still close to a hospital or a team of medical experts.

Disadvantages

• You might have to be transferred to a hospital if there are complications.
• There might not be as many pain relief options. This could include an epidural, which can only be done in a hospital.

Home

Less than 1% of women deliver their baby at home. But it is a trend that has been increasing in recent years. Some women want the comfort of their own home. They also want more control over their childbirth experience. Giving birth at home lowers a woman’s stress, as she is surrounded by everything that is familiar to her. She is free to do what she wants when she wants. A certified nurse-midwife attends to her and delivers the baby.

Advantages

• There will be fewer delivery interventions.
• There will be a greater chance for natural childbirth, and less chance of a c-section.
• You’ll be more comfortable in familiar surroundings.
• You may have a close relationship with your midwife.
• You don’t have to worry about moving rooms or being discharged quickly.

Disadvantages

• If anything goes wrong, you’ll need to be transferred to a hospital. If the maternity ward is full, you might have to go further from home.
• There is increased risk of complications happening, especially if it is your first baby.

Things to consider

There are factors that influence where you can have your baby. These include:

• Where your doctor delivers. Many women choose their provider and then deliver their baby wherever that doctor practices. If you want a birthing center or home birth, you’ll need to find out what providers will deliver in those locations. Then you can choose your doctor.
• What your insurance covers. Some insurance policies may not cover a birthing center or a home delivery. You’ll need to find out what your insurance will cover early in your pregnancy so you can make plans accordingly.
• If your pregnancy is high-risk. This means you are at greater risk of something going wrong during your pregnancy or delivery. Women with high-risk pregnancies should deliver at a hospital. This will ensure there will be back-up services and medical intervention available if something goes wrong.
• Where you live. Some states are friendlier to birthing center or home births than others. Check your state regulations before you decide where to deliver your baby. You may also be limited based on what hospitals or birthing centers are nearby.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Where is the best place for me to have my baby?
• Is a birthing center or home birth safe for me and my baby?
• What facilities do you deliver at?
• Will I have a say in how much monitoring or intervention is done?
• Will I have to change rooms?
• Can my partner stay with me?
• Can my baby stay with me all the time?
• Will I have to share a room with another new mother?

Resources

American Academy of Family Physicians: Having a Baby Outside of a Hospital: What you Need to Know

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What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a group of viral infections. It affects your liver and causes swelling. There are three main forms: hepatitis A, B, and C. Though related, each form has its own specific virus. People can get hepatitis from diseases, drug use, alcohol abuse, and poisons.

Hepatitis A is mainly an acute (short-term) disease. People can be cured with or without treatment. Hepatitis B and C often are chronic (long-term) diseases. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with vaccines. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Path to improved health

Because hepatitis is a viral infection, it is contagious. It is most often transferred through blood or body fluids. It also can be passed from mother to baby at birth. The risk is higher for women who have hepatitis B and C. If you are pregnant and have hepatitis, you should tell your doctor.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that all pregnant women be screened for hepatitis B at their first prenatal appointment. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend screening for hepatitis C in pregnancy, currently the AAFP does not. The AAFP only recommends hepatitis C screening for people who have a high risk of the infection. This includes women who have:

• Used drugs
• Been exposed to needles
• Received a blood transfusion
• Have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

A pregnant woman who tests positive for hep B should get a dose of immune globulin (IG). This injection helps to treat the virus and protect your baby. After delivery, the baby should get a dose of IG, as well as the hep B vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all babies receive the hep B vaccine at birth.

Unlike hep B, there is no medicine to help prevent a pregnant woman from passing hep C to her baby. Pregnant women who have hep B or C will receive extra prenatal care. This may include blood tests, liver tests, and medicine to reduce symptoms.

Things to consider

Women who have hep B or C while pregnant can have several problems. One is acute fatty liver. This is a rare disease that affects the liver’s ability to process fatty acids. It often occurs in late pregnancy and can be severe. In these cases, the doctor may want to deliver the baby right away. This allows treatment to start and helps prevent the baby from getting the virus.

Another potential problem is gallstones. These can occur if fluids from your liver build up in your gallbladder. The stones can cause pain, swelling, and jaundice, which is when your skin and eyes turn yellow. If the gallstones are severe, you may need surgery.

Pregnant women who have hep B or C should contact their doctor right away if they have any complications.

Women who use the medicine Rebetron (a combination of the medicines Rebetrol and Intron A) should not try to become pregnant. If you use this medicine and become pregnant, stop taking it and see your doctor. It can cause severe birth defects. It also should not be used by women who breastfeed. Talk to your doctor about other medicines that may be harmful. These include prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.

Questions to ask your doctor

• How do I know if I have hep B or C?
• What is the cause of my hepatitis?
• If I have hep B or C and am pregnant, what is the best form of treatment?
• Are there any lifestyle changes I should make?
• What is the risk that I will pass the virus to my baby at birth?

Resources

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Pregnancy

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A person is considered obese when their body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. For people who become pregnant, being obese can increase the risk of many health conditions and complications. You can still have a healthy pregnancy if you are obese. There are things you need to do to manage risks for you and your baby.

Path to improved wellness

Many people who are obese have healthy pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies. However, there are risks to both you and your baby, including:

• Gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes only develops during pregnancy.
• Infection. This can include urinary tract and postpartum infections.
• Preeclampsia. This condition can cause high blood pressure and damage to organs, such as the kidneys.

You may also be at a higher risk for problems during labor and delivery, such as:

• C-section. Obesity during pregnancy can result in more elective and emergency C-sections.
• Labor problems. You are more likely to need to have your labor induced if you are obese. Obesity can also interfere with the use of certain types of pain medication. This can include epidural blocks.
• Overdue pregnancy. Obesity increases the risk that pregnancy will continue beyond your expected due date.
• Pregnancy loss. Obesity can increase the risk of miscarriage.

There is also a higher risk for health problems for your baby when you are obese during pregnancy. These can include birth defects and chronic conditions. Your baby may have an increased risk of developing diabetes or heart disease later in life.

It is important to take steps to manage the health of both you and your baby. If you are obese and pregnant or planning to be pregnant, make sure you:

• Schedule a preconception appointment. Talk to your doctor if you are obese and are planning to get pregnant. They may have you start taking prenatal vitamins. They can also work with you on a plan to reach a healthy weight before becoming pregnant.
• Receive regular prenatal care. See your doctor regularly to monitor for complications. Discuss any medical conditions you may have and ways to manage them during pregnancy.
• Carefully manage your weight. Ask him or her what a healthy weight gain would be during your pregnancy.
• Focus on eating a healthy diet and working physical activity into your day. During pregnancy, you’ll need more calcium, folic acid, iron, and other essential nutrients. A daily prenatal vitamin can help fill any gaps.
• Discuss special labor and delivery needs with your doctor before giving birth.

Things to consider

If you’re obese, your doctor will closely monitor your pregnancy. They might recommend:

• Early testing for gestational diabetes. Women at average risk of gestational diabetes are usually given a screening test called the glucose challenge test between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. If you’re obese, your doctor might recommend the screening test earlier.
• Delayed fetal ultrasound. Fetal ultrasound evaluates a baby’s growth and development. It is typically done between weeks 18 and 20 of pregnancy. Ultrasound waves don’t easily penetrate abdominal fat tissue. This means that obesity during pregnancy can interfere with the effectiveness of a fetal ultrasound. Ultrasound results might be more detailed if the test is done a few weeks later.
• Fetal echocardiography. Your doctor might recommend a fetal ultrasound that provides a detailed picture of your baby’s heart (called fetal echocardiography) between weeks 22 and 24 of pregnancy. This test is used to check for a congenital heart defect.
• Frequent prenatal visits. Your doctor might recommend more frequent prenatal visits than is typical. This will help them monitor your and your baby’s health.

Questions to ask your doctor

• What are some ways I can manage my weight gain during pregnancy?
• What are the health benefits of losing weight before I get pregnant?
• Am I at risk for any complications after giving birth?

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Pregnancy Complications

ChooseMyPlate.gov: Moms – Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

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If you are pregnant, it’s important to take precautions against viral infections. A viral infection is a contagious illness. Most viruses will not hurt your baby. However, some viruses can cause miscarriage or birth defects. A virus can affect your respiratory tract (breathing) and can cause other symptoms. The flu and the common cold are examples of viral infections. Other examples are:

• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Fifth disease
• Cytomegalovirus
• Rubella (also called German measles)
• Zika virus
• COVID-19

Pregnant women can be exposed to people with viral infections. They spread directly through touching, kissing, or sexual activity. You can also get them indirectly, through coughing or sneezing. They can spread through contact with infected surfaces, food, and water. Just being exposed doesn’t mean you will become sick.

Path to improved health

Contact your doctor right away if you are pregnant and exposed to someone who has a viral infection. The doctor will want to know which virus and what type of contact you had. They also may ask about your symptoms.

Here are some questions your doctor may ask:

• Did you touch or kiss the infected person?
• How long were you in contact with the infected person?
• When did the infected person get sick?
• Did a doctor diagnose the infected person’s illness? Were any tests done?

What if I’m exposed to influenza?

Influenza can be more serious for pregnant women. You may get very sick. However, it hardly ever causes birth defects in the baby. If you are pregnant during flu season (October through March), you should get a flu shot.

What should I do if I’m exposed to chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus and is highly contagious. It can be serious during pregnancy. Sometimes, chickenpox can cause birth defects. If you have had chickenpox in the past, it is unlikely you will catch it again. If you have not had it or if you are not sure, see your doctor. Your doctor will test your blood to see if you are immune.

Many people who don’t remember having chickenpox are immune. If your blood test shows that you are not immune, you can take medicines to make your illness less severe and help protect your baby from chickenpox.

What should I do if I’m exposed to fifth disease?

Fifth disease is a common virus in children. About half of all adults are sensitive to fifth disease and can catch it from children.

Children who have fifth disease often get a rash on their body and have cold-like symptoms. Their cheeks may be red and look like they’ve been slapped or pinched. Adults who get fifth disease do not usually have the “slapped cheek” rash. Adults will often have very sore joints.

If you get fifth disease early in your pregnancy, you could have a miscarriage. It also can cause birth defects in your baby, such as severe anemia. Call your doctor if you are exposed to fifth disease. Your doctor may have you take a blood test to see if you’re immune. You also may need an ultrasound exam to see if the baby has been infected.

What if I’m exposed to cytomegalovirus?

Cytomegalovirus usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. This makes it hard to know if you have it. It is the most common infection that can be passed from mother to baby. Cytomegalovirus affects 1 of every 100 pregnant women. It can cause birth defects, such as hearing loss, development disabilities, or even death of the fetus.

It’s important to prevent cytomegalovirus because there is no way to treat it. Women who work in day care centers or a health care setting have the highest risk of getting infected. Pregnant women with these jobs should wash their hands after handling diapers and avoid snuggling or kissing the babies. If you think you’ve been exposed to a person who has cytomegalovirus, see your doctor right away.

What if I’m exposed to rubella?

Since 1969, almost all children have had the rubella vaccine, so it is a rare disease today. At the first prenatal visit, all pregnant women should be tested to see if they are immune to rubella. Women who are not immune should get the vaccine after the baby is born. Talk to your doctor if you are trying to become pregnant. Then you can get the vaccine in advance if you are not immune.

Symptoms of rubella in adults are joint pain and a possible ear infection. The virus can cause severe birth defects or death of the fetus. Talk to your doctor if you have these symptoms or have been exposed.

What if I’m exposed to measles?

Measles (also called rubeola) is a serious respiratory illness that affects the lungs and breathing tubes. It also causes a rash and a fever. It is one of the most contagious diseases there is, and it can be spread to others very easily. In rare cases, it can be deadly. If you are thinking of becoming pregnant or are pregnant, talk to your doctor about a measles vaccination. If you are traveling, you are at a higher risk of getting measles. One person infected by measles can infect 9 out of 10 of their unvaccinated close contacts. Many countries and popular travel destinations have experienced measles outbreaks in recent years. Most were among children who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. To prevent measles infection and prevent its spread, all U.S. residents should be up to date on their MMR vaccinations, especially prior to international travel regardless of the destination.

What if I’m exposed to Zika virus?

The Zika virus is a travel-related virus that can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed during pregnancy. Zika outbreaks have been reported in South America, Central America, and North America. The virus can cause microcephaly (the baby’s head and brain are smaller than normal. This causes an intellectual disability).

The infection is transmitted through an infected mosquito bite or is passed to a woman through sexual contact. Women who are pregnant or hope to become pregnant should avoid travel to these regions and use a condom during sex if your partner has traveled to the area. Your doctor will tell you how long you must wait before trying to become pregnant if your partner has been exposed to the virus.

Things to consider

Most other viruses do not seem to increase the natural risk for birth defects. This includes viruses such as regular measles, mumps, roseola, mononucleosis, and bronchiolitis. In normal pregnancies, the risk of serious birth defects is 2% to 3%.

To protect yourself from all infectious viruses:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the restroom or before a meal.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick, infected or in close contact with others who are.
• Get a flu shot and other vaccines either before or during pregnancy, as needed.

Contact your doctor right away if you have been exposed to an infected person or have symptoms of a virus. They can provide treatment, if possible, and monitor your baby for signs of infection.

Questions to ask your doctor

• How do I know if I’ve been exposed to someone infected with a virus?
• What can I do to prevent exposure?
• How do I know if I’m immune to certain viruses?
• At what point should I get a flu shot?
• Are there any other vaccines I should get before or during pregnancy?

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Vaccinations are proven to be safe and effective, and they save lives. They are an important part of everyone’s health: babies and toddlers, school-age children, teens and pre-teens, pregnant women, adults, and seniors. To protect public health, the AAFP strongly recommends that patients receive all necessary vaccinations in their primary care physician’s office.

Path to improved well being

Each year, the AAFP and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices collaborate to develop recommendations for the routine use of vaccines in children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Below is a collection of resources from familydoctor.org. You’ll find information on immunization schedules, specific vaccines, and more to help you and your family stay healthy.

Vaccines are safe, effective, and save lives

Check out the following resources to keep you and your family safe from highly preventable diseases and conditions:

• The importance of Vaccinations
• Childhood Vaccines: What they Are and Why Your Child Needs Them
• Immunization Schedules for All Ages
• Preventing the Flu
• Chickenpox Vaccine
• Polio Vaccine
• HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens
• Caring for your Premature Baby
• Shingles
• International Travel: Tips for Staying Healthy
• Measles outbreaks

Things to consider

There is proof that childhood vaccines do not cause autism. In fact, the benefits of vaccines outweigh their side effects. Side effects generally include slight pain and tenderness at the site of the injection. The pain can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicine and a cold compress.

Vaccines are required for many activities. Not having the appropriate vaccine can interfere with your plans. These instances include school and travel.

Parents with school-aged children should make sure their kids are up to date on vaccines before the new school year begins. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national coverage with state-required vaccines declined among kindergarten students by 2% from 2020–2022. An additional 4.4% of kindergartners without an approved exemption were outdated on their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunization. Disruptions related to COVID-19 affected vaccination coverage, but coverage has not returned to pre-pandemic numbers since returning to in-person learning.

When vaccination rates decline, cases of preventable diseases go up. This has been happening in recent years with measles. As of July 7, 2023, the CDC has been notified of 18 confirmed cases in 12 U.S. jurisdictions. That may not seem like a lot but compare it with just 3 cases during the same time in 2022. By the end of 2022, there were 121 cases. Almost all those cases could have been prevented with vaccines. The CDC urges all U.S. residents to make sure they are current on their MMR vaccine, especially prior to international travel.

Talk to your doctor about any health conditions you currently have and the impact of the vaccine on that condition. This may include telling your doctor if you are sick with a cold or flu.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Which vaccines does my child need before starting school?
• Can I delay a vaccine?
• Can I get a disease after I’ve gotten the vaccine?
• Is my newborn at risk of certain diseases if he or she isn’t old enough to get certain vaccines?
• Which vaccines are safe to get at the same time?
• How do I know if I had certain vaccines as a child if I don’t have the records?
• What is the research on vaccines and autism?

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Immunization Schedules

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