All The Vaccines Parents (And Grandparents) Need In Order To Be Around Newborns

When a newborn baby is adding to a family, it’s without a doubt that everyone wants to see the new bundle of joy, hold him or her, and get as close as possible. With that being said though, it’s important that parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles make sure they are up to date with all of their vaccines. After all, while everyone is welcomed to give the baby as much love and attention as they possibly can, the last thing they want to do is pass down a serious illness or virus. Here are the four vaccines that every adult should have before coming into contact with a baby.

PREVIOUSLY: Chickenpox Outbreak In School Where Parents Choose Not To Vaccinate

The MMR vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people get MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella, and especially before coming into contact with a small baby. It's also advised that children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

The Influenza Vaccine

In other words, it’s the flu shot, and it's recommended that everyone get one every year. They have antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. ... Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. You can get a flu shot at any one of your local CVS or Walgreen pharmacies for as little as $25 each year.

The Varicella Vaccine

If you were a child of the 1970s, 1980s, or the early 1990s, there’s a good chance you remember that itchy, tingly feeling that came when you got the chicken pox from a friend or classmate from school. Luckily, there’s a vaccination for that because the last thing you want to do is infect a baby with the pox. The chickenpox vaccine is a shot that can protect nearly anyone who receives the vaccine from catching chickenpox. It's also called the varicella vaccine because chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.

TDAP or DTaP Vaccine

The DTaP is a vaccine that helps children younger than age 7 develop immunity to three deadly diseases caused by bacteria: diphtheria, tetanus, and almighty whooping cough (which is medically known as pertussis). Tdap is a booster immunization given at age 11 that offers continued protection from those diseases for adolescents and adults. It’s also recommended that pregnant women get the shot between 27 and 36 weeks gestation.