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1. Is it okay for my baby to have so many shots at once?

Yes. Studies show that kids' bodies - even infants - can handle many shots at once. Having several vaccines at once is safe, even for a newborn. Combination vaccines protect your child against more than one disease with a single shot.

It's not your imagination; there are a greater number of shots now than even a few years ago. That's because as science advances, we are able to protect your child against more diseases than ever before.

2. Haven't we gotten rid of most of these diseases in this country?

Thanks to vaccines, most diseases prevented by vaccines are no longer common in this country. Even the few cases we have in the U.S. could very quickly become tens or hundreds of thousands of cases if we stopped vaccinating.

It's not uncommon to have measles outbreaks, whooping cough outbreaks, chickenpox outbreaks, and other diseases when vaccination rates drop. Kids that are not fully vaccinated can become seriously sick and spread it through a community.

3. I heard that some vaccines can cause autism. Is this true?

No. Scientific studies and reviews have found no relationship between vaccines and autism.

Groups of experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), also agree that vaccines are not responsible for the number of children now recognized to have autism.

4. Why does my child need a chickenpox shot? Isn't it a mild disease?

Chickenpox can actually be a serious disease for kids if the blisters become infected. Before vaccine was available, about 50 kids died every year from chickenpox, and about 1 in 500 kids who got chickenpox were hospitalized.

5. My child is sick right now. Is it okay for her to still get shots?

Yes, usually. Talk with the doctor, but children can usually get vaccinated even if they have a mild illness like a cold, earache, mild fever or diarrhea.

If the doctor says it is okay, your child can still get vaccinated.

6. How can I find out if thimerosal is in a vaccine?

For a complete list of vaccines and their thimerosal content level, you may visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, you may ask your health care provider or pharmacist for a copy of the vaccine package insert. It lists ingredients in the vaccine and discusses any known adverse reactions. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

7. I lost my child's immunization record. Can I get a copy of my child's shot record at Maricopa County?

Yes, usually if a child has received vaccines in Arizona, we can look your child up in the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASIIS). For our clinic information, go to our Locations page. You also can check with the medical provider who your child received the vaccines from for a copy of the shot record. Locations Page