TM JAMIE LOEHR, MD, fAAfp Copyright © 2009 by Jamie Loehr Cover and internal design © 2009 by Sourcebooks, Inc. Cover photo © istockphoto.com/ailime Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other profes- sional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.—From a Declaration of Principles Jointly Adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations This book is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified physician. The intent of this book is to provide accurate general information in regard to the subject matter covered. If medical advice or other expert help is needed, the services of an appropriate medical professional should be sought. All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, reg- istered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. Sourcebooks, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor in this book. Published by Sourcebooks, Inc. P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567-4410 (630) 961-3900 Fax: (630) 961-2168 www.sourcebooks.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Loehr, Jamie. The vaccine answer book : 200 essential answers to help you make the right decisions for your child / by Jamie Loehr. p. cm. 1. Vaccination of children—Popular works. 2. Immunization of children— Popular works. I. Title. RJ240.L64 2009 614.4’7083—dc22 2009012845 Printed and bound in the United States of America. VP 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents Acknowledgments ................................................ix Introduction .........................................................xi Part I: Understanding Vaccines Chapter 1: Vaccine Basics ..................................3 Chapter 2: Principles of Vaccines .....................25 Chapter 3: A Brief History of Vaccines ............39 Chapter 4: Vaccination Logistics ......................55 Chapter 5: How to Evaluate Vaccines .............85 Part II: Vaccines in the First Year of Life Chapter 6: The Pneumococcal Vaccine for Young Children ............................107 Chapter 7: The Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HiB) Vaccine ..................113 Chapter 8: The Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine ..........................................119 Chapter 9: The Rotavirus Vaccine .................133 Chapter 10: The Influenza Vaccine .................139 Chapter 11: The Hepatitis B Vaccine ..............149 Chapter 12: The Polio Vaccine ........................159 Part III: Other Childhood Vaccines Chapter 13: The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine ..............167 Chapter 14: The Chickenpox Vaccine .............179 Chapter 15: The Hepatitis A Vaccine ..............189 Chapter 16: The Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap and Td) Vaccines .......................................197 Chapter 17: The Meningococcal Vaccine .........199 Chapter 18: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine .............................207 Chapter 19: The Pneumococcal Vaccine for Older Children and Adults...........217 Part IV: Vaccines throughout Life Chapter 20: The Shingles Vaccine ....................221 Chapter 21: Other Adult Vaccines ...................227 Chapter 22: Travel Vaccines and Other Vaccines .......................................235 Part V: Vaccine Controversies and Myths Chapter 23: Vaccines and Autism ....................255 Chapter 24: Other Vaccine Questions and Concerns ......................................269 Resources ..........................................................285 About the Author .............................................291 Dedication For my wonderful family: Devon, Kieran, Shannon, and Mariah. And most of all, Caitlin. J.L. Acknowledgments My thanks go to my editor Sara Appino, and to my agent Grace Freedson, both of whom were instru- mental in the creation of this book. Thanks to Jen Meyers, the coauthor of my first two books, and also to Leslie Daniels for getting me started on the path to writing. Thanks to my parents Joan and Ray Loehr and my seven brothers and sisters for their love, advice, and sup- port over the years. Thanks also to all the parents and children I have known in and out of my practice who have helped shape my knowledge and experiences. To my family goes my biggest, most heartfelt appreciation. Their limitless understanding, humor, and love during the writing of this book made it all possible. Thanks to Devon, Kieran, Shannon, and Mariah, but most of all to Caitlin. I love you!