Will multiple injections overwhelm my baby's immune system?

photo of baby in car seat

No, they won't. Your baby has an amazing immune system — babies come into contact with millions of germs every day and are able to repond to them. When babies are exposed to the small number of antigens in vaccines, the body is easily able to respond to these antigens. Just like contact with antigens in your environment, the antigens in vaccines cannot "use up or damage" your baby's immune system. This is because the body is always making more and more immune system cells, to protect your baby from the millions of germs they contact every day. All vaccines do is ensure the immune system can fend off the most dangerous diseases. It's just like when you give blood, your body quickly makes more. Scientists estimate that an infant's immune system could respond to thousands of antigens, even if they were given at the same time.

 

 

Before a vaccine containing more than one antigen is approved for use testing is done to make sure that the immune system response to the combination vaccine is similar to the response to single antigen vaccines. 

What is an antigen? Antigens are anything foreign that your body has not encountered before. The most common antigens are viruses and bacteria. Vaccines use a safe amount of specific antigens (usually dead ones) to let your body's immune system develop the right antibodies to fight them.

Did you know? Today, at your baby’s two-month visit, your baby will receive three shots, and one oral vaccine. Because of advances in science these vaccines contain approximately 10% of the antigens that a baby getting only 1 shot in the 1980s would have received. 

Interested in learning more? Addressing Parents’ Concerns: Do Multiple Vaccines Overwhelm or Weaken the Infants immune system?

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