Dear Jeff,

My newborn nephew was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease and spent 8 weeks in the NICU before finally coming home. He's my sister's first baby and I am not sure if she is just being way over-protective, but she and my BIL just got vaccinated for a whole bunch of diseases while he was in the hospital. Is my little nephew in that much danger from his own parents? Should I get vaccinated too?

If you have a newborn at risk nephew-niece - like your nephew with auto-immune disease - I not only applaud his parents for getting vaccinated, but I highly recommend you also consider getting vaccinated to protect the baby.  The data on vaccinating parents (and other family members close to the child) is preliminary, but it should serve as a reminder that adults can make kids sick. Newborn babies and even small children don't have their immunity built up as well as ours. So whether or not you plan to get vaccinated yourself, please do take even the most simple precautions, like hand washing with soap and water before approaching the child - even as he gets older.