Kids, Vaccine | featured news

A large new government study should reassure parents who are afraid that kids are getting autism because they receive too many vaccines too early in life. The study, by researchers at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, found no connection between the number of vaccines a child received and his or her risk of autism spectrum disorder. It also found that even though kids are getting more vaccines these days, those vaccines contain many fewer of the substances that provoke an immune response.

Two new studies offer good news for newborns and children about two different vaccinations -- flu vaccine for pregnant women, and rotavirus vaccine for infants.

International donors led by Britain and Bill Gates pledged $4.3 billion on Monday to buy vaccines to protect children in poor countries against potential killers such as diarrheal diseases and pneumonia.

The Supreme Court ruled for drug manufacturers Tuesday, deciding that a case brought by a Pennsylvania family who says their child was injured by a vaccine cannot be heard outside of a court created to hear such claims.

Health officials are urging adults to get vaccinated against pertussis and flu as a way protect babies and other vulnerable patients.

A new government study adds to the evidence that thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative until recently found in many vaccines, does not increase children's risk of autism.

The vaccine, Prevnar 13, is effective against more types of bacteria, particularly a virulent subtype called strain 19A.

Studies of the new swine flu vaccine show children 10 and older will need just one shot for protection against swine flu — but younger kids will need two.