Steph’s Note: This week, we’re continuing our pediatric knowledge drop with a rather hot topic (always) - vaccines. After her previous post earlier this spring on adult vaccinations, Carley Moses, PharmD, dove right on into a companion piece for our younger counterparts. (She’s pretty awesome, amiright?) So if you’ve ever wondered why kids need SO MANY vaccines and how their immune systems ramp up to their full function, look no further. Read on!

And BTW…we’ve got a super handy Pediatric Pharmacy Pocket Guide that gives you the ins and outs of all things peds. It’s an absolute life-saver…especially if you only occasionally come across pediatric patients in your practice. Check it out here!

Even Spiderman knows about the power and responsibility of vaccination. (Image)

Hi, again friends! :) Are you ready to become the superhero your community needs? Then buckle up, and prepare for the wild ride through the beautiful world of pediatric vaccines! With great power (and knowledge) comes great responsibility, and by the end of our little discussion today, you'll be armed with everything you need to know about vaccinating the tiny humans who will one day rule the world.

Pediatric Immune Systems

When it comes to understanding our little superheroes-in-training, aka kiddos, we've got to dive into the world of their developing immune systems. Picture this: when a baby is born, they already have some antibodies from their mom, like getting a cheat code in the immunity game.

These maternal antibodies, which are the IgG type, help the baby fend off some infections in the early months of life (usually around the first six months, if we’re being specific). But here's the catch: their very own immune system is still figuring things out. It's like a mini-superhero that hasn't quite mastered all their powers yet.

In the beginning, these tiny warriors rely on their innate immunity, which is like having a baby-sized Swiss Army knife. It's versatile and can tackle a whole bunch of bad bugs at once. But as time goes by, their immune system starts leveling up, learning to produce more specialized weapons like IgA, IgM, and IgG antibodies.

IgA antibodies act like bodyguards for the mucous membranes in the nose, mouth, and gut, creating a barrier to prevent pathogens from entering the body. IgM is like the new kid on the block, rushing in first when there's trouble. It's often the initial response to a new infection, helping to activate the immune system and kickstart the production of other antibodies. And IgG? That's the heavy hitter, delivering the knockout punch by neutralizing viruses and bacteria, tagging them for destruction by other immune cells, and even crossing the placenta to provide immunity to unborn babies.

Now, there are some other key differences between a kiddo's immune system and an adult's. For one, children's immune systems are still learning the ropes, which means their response to infections isn't as robust. That's why vaccines are super important to give them a helping hand. Also, kiddos have more naive T-cells (T-cells that haven't quite figured things out yet, no judgment) that make them more susceptible to infections. And their B-cells? Well, they need a bit more practice producing high-quality antibodies.

But hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, right?

By the time our little heroes reach two or three years old, their immune systems have transformed into full-blown superheroes, ready to keep the bugs at bay. But while they're still growing, it's our job to make sure they get the vaccines they need to fight off vaccine-preventable diseases.

Also, for you visual folks, here’s a schematic of the immunoglobulin changes that occur in infants:

Why Kids Need Vaccines

You might have heard that laughter is the best medicine, but when it comes to protecting the kiddos, vaccines take the cake! Here are some reasons why vaccinating kids is no joke:

Literally what happens when we get vaccinated. LITERALLY. Force field created, weak protected, attack neutralized.

The most obvious reason is that vaccination protects our younglings from getting sick. Like, reeeally sick. And nobody likes sick kiddos or hospitals.
You know what they say…there's strength in numbers! When a bunch of us get vaccinated, especially children, it's like we're all holding hands, creating a barrier that stops diseases from crashing our party. And it's crucial for protecting our most vulnerable friends who cannot receive vaccines, too!
Vaccinating kids helps to save mom and dad money too! Healthier kids means fewer doctor visits, fewer medications, fewer long-term complications, and more money for roller coasters!
Remember smallpox? Yeah, neither do we. Thanks to vaccines, some dreadful diseases can be wiped off the face of the Earth – and that's the kind of magic trick I feel a kid would really like.
When we vaccinate our children, we're not just keeping them safe. We're contributing to a global alliance of healthy humans, building a fortress against the spreading of infectious diseases. It's like a worldwide group hug, and who doesn't love an awesome snuggly hug (only if you're vaccinated, though!).

The Vaccines

Now that we understand our mini homies, it's time to dive into the nitty-gritty of the pediatric vaccine squad. Each elite team member is crucial in protecting children from various villains (aka diseases, #samedifference).

Dealing with Vaccine Adverse Effects

Now we all know by now that vaccines have side effects. But fear not! There are ways to mitigate these feelings for our little ones:

Infants and Toddlers

Apply a cool, damp cloth to the injection site to ease swelling or redness.
Offer extra cuddles and reassurance.
Keep your little one's routine as normal as possible to avoid additional stress.
Acetaminophen should not be used in babies under 12 weeks, and ibuprofen should not be used in babies under 6 months.

Young Children

Use an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for any pain or fever for up to 72 hours, then contact the pediatrician.
Encourage rest and relaxation.
Distract them with a favorite book, movie, or game.

Older Children and Teens

Follow the same advice as for young children.
Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids and maintain a balanced diet.

State Regulations for Pharmacists Administering Pediatric Vaccines

States have varying regulations regarding pharmacists administering vaccines to children. We recommend checking your state's specific guidelines and staying updated on any changes to ensure you do your due diligence for the tiny warriors. Pharmacists are generally permitted to administer multiple types of vaccines to children in many states, but age restrictions may apply.

Long story short, fly over to your state's pharmacy board website for the latest intel!

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)

In the rare event of an adverse reaction to a vaccine, it's crucial to report the incident to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This national system helps monitor vaccine safety and identify potential safety or efficacy issues. Reporting can be done online, by fax, or by mail. For more information, visit the VAERS website.

The tl;dr of Pediatric Vaccines

And there you have it - your quick afternoon refresher on mini-human vaccines. With this knowledge, you're ready to continue your great infectious disease fight! Remember, as a pharmacist, you play a crucial role in safeguarding children's health in your community. Stay up-to-date on vaccine recommendations, guidelines, and state regulations to ensure you're always prepared for action.

Now go forth with your intelligent immunizing self, and make the world a healthier, happier place—one vaccination at a time!

The Pharmacist's Rundown on Pediatric Vaccines