The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children receive pediatric vaccines to protect them from 14 potentially serious diseases. The recommended childhood vaccines fall into several categories based on the diseases they prevent:

- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) - This vaccine protects against three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough). Without the vaccine, diphtheria and pertussis can be life-threatening, especially in young children.

- Hepatitis B (HepB) - Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver and can cause lifelong infection. This vaccine protects against hepatitis B, which is usually spread through contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.

- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) - Hib disease can cause severe infections such as meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Nearly all cases of Hib disease now occur in unvaccinated children.

- Pneumococcal disease (PCV) - Caused by streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, pneumococcal disease can lead to serious infections of the lungs (pneumonia), blood (bacteremia), or covering of the brain (meningitis).

- Rotavirus - Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea, sometimes severe enough to require hospitalization. It is the leading cause of severe diarrhea among infants and young children worldwide.

- Influenza - Influenza (flu) is a seasonal respiratory illness that can lead to serious complications like pneumonia. Influenza vaccines are recommended annually for children 6 months and older.

- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) - Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that causes fever and a characteristic red rash. It can lead to complications like ear infections and pneumonia. Mumps causes fever and swollen glands. Rubella, also known as German measles, rarely causes serious illness in children but can harm a developing baby if a pregnant woman is infected.

- Varicella (chickenpox) - Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that causes an itchy rash with blisters all over the body. It can lead to severe skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), or even death.

- Polio - Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly viral disease that causes paralysis. Polio used to be one of the most feared diseases in the United States. Widespread use of polio vaccine has protected the nation from polio.

- Hepatitis A (HepA) - Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is usually spread through food or drinks that have been contaminated by feces from an infected person. Hepatitis A can cause loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, and jaundice (yellow skin or eyes).

Importance of Childhood Vaccines

Vaccines are essential for protecting the health of children and communities. By getting recommended vaccines on time, children are afforded the best possible protection against 14 serious diseases. Vaccinating children is crucial for several important reasons:

- Herd Immunity - As more people are vaccinated against a disease, the less opportunity the disease has to spread to those who cannot receive the vaccine, like newborns or those with weakened immune systems. Maintaining high vaccination rates is important to reduce disease spread and help protect those who cannot be vaccinated.

- Prevent Death and Disability - Vaccines have dramatically reduced illnesses, hospitalizations, disabilities, and deaths caused by vaccination-preventable diseases in children in the United States and globally. For example, measles was once a common childhood disease, but is now rarely seen thanks to vaccination.

- Cost Savings - The direct medical costs of vaccination are far less than the costs of treating the diseases vaccines prevent. For example, the total societal cost of a single case of measles in the U.S. ranges from $120,000 to $245,000 per case. That includes things like medical care, lost wages when caring for a sick child, and long-term care for disabilities caused by measles.

- Safety - Despite what some claim, extensive research has repeatedly shown that vaccines are very safe. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has paid billions to compensate for the extremely rare adverse effects that have been causally associated with some vaccines. However, the risk of serious harm from vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough and measles far outweighs any risk from vaccination.

- Required for School/Daycare - All 50 states require children attending public schools or licensed daycares to be vaccinated according to schedule. This helps limit disease spread and protects medically vulnerable children like those undergoing cancer treatment who cannot receive certain vaccines. Medical exemptions are available if there is a true need.

- Easier than Treating Disease - It's far easier and safer to get recommended vaccines than deal with treating severe illnesses like pneumonia, encephalitis, or other complications of diseases like measles or whooping cough. Vaccines train the body to fight illness before exposure and prevent severe symptoms.

In Summary, while some people contend that Pediatric vaccines are unnecessary for certain low-risk groups, the societal benefits of high vaccination rates help protect everyone's health. Following the CDC vaccine schedule is essential for keeping your child and the community healthy