'Supervaccines' Developed To Combine Childhood Shots
Required Vaccines Cover 10 Diseases With Multiple Shots
UPDATED: 12:43 p.m. EST January 21, 2004
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WASHINGTON -- Immunizations have become an important part of our health history, especially for our kids.
"It's a lot of shots. At two and four months, you are usually getting three to four separate shots," said Dr. William Lawrence, of Washington, D.C.
For a lot of parents, keeping track of their children's immunizations can be a full-time job. The mandatory number of vaccinations covers 10 diseases with multiple shots, and according to health experts, that number may double over the next decade.
"Well, the good and bad news is, is now, we have a lot more vaccines that prevent bad sicknesses. The down side is, most of these are still given in single injections and, unfortunately, this means that a healthy boy or girl may wind up getting close to 20 shots by their second birthday," said Dr. Mark Weissman, director of pediatrics at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Because pediatricians are tired of making their patients "human pincushions," researchers are now working on a number of "supervaccines" that would combine existing inoculations into one shot.
The most recent supervaccine takes the MMR vaccine, which already combines mumps, measles and rubella, and adds chickenpox, polio, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B and meningitis.
Doctors say that still doesn't target illnesses like pneumonia, typhoid, encephalitis, diarrhea, strep or flu -- all of which are major threats to our children. So scientists are hoping to develop even more supervaccines to fight these diseases.
"There are vaccines that have just been released or that are in the pipeline that we'll see over the next year or two that can give kids full protection with less shots," said Weissman.
Some of these shots are already being offered by some pediatricians. Doctors say there are few side effects.
The major setback is the cost. Supervaccines can cost in the hundreds of dollars. But some health experts say that for many people, the cost is worth the saved time and pain that come with multiple vaccines.
"Any opportunity to combine more of the immunizations into a one-delivery method improves the ability to get them in and makes it a less painful or scary experience for those children," said Lawrence.
For a lot of parents, keeping track of their children's immunizations can be a full-time job. The mandatory number of vaccinations covers 10 diseases with multiple shots, and according to health experts, that number may double over the next decade.
"Well, the good and bad news is, is now, we have a lot more vaccines that prevent bad sicknesses. The down side is, most of these are still given in single injections and, unfortunately, this means that a healthy boy or girl may wind up getting close to 20 shots by their second birthday," said Dr. Mark Weissman, director of pediatrics at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Because pediatricians are tired of making their patients "human pincushions," researchers are now working on a number of "supervaccines" that would combine existing inoculations into one shot.
The most recent supervaccine takes the MMR vaccine, which already combines mumps, measles and rubella, and adds chickenpox, polio, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B and meningitis.
Doctors say that still doesn't target illnesses like pneumonia, typhoid, encephalitis, diarrhea, strep or flu -- all of which are major threats to our children. So scientists are hoping to develop even more supervaccines to fight these diseases.
"There are vaccines that have just been released or that are in the pipeline that we'll see over the next year or two that can give kids full protection with less shots," said Weissman.
Some of these shots are already being offered by some pediatricians. Doctors say there are few side effects.
The major setback is the cost. Supervaccines can cost in the hundreds of dollars. But some health experts say that for many people, the cost is worth the saved time and pain that come with multiple vaccines.
"Any opportunity to combine more of the immunizations into a one-delivery method improves the ability to get them in and makes it a less painful or scary experience for those children," said Lawrence.
Previous Story:
- July 9, 2003: New Vaccine Combines Five Baby Shots
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