Back to School Immunizations - Why Vaccines are Important

Vaccinations can save your child's life.

posted on 9/4/2019 in BLOGS from St. Anthony

As parents, we want to do everything in our power to assure that our children are both healthy and protected against preventable and potentially deadly diseases. Getting your children vaccinated is a simple and important step in that process.

Why Should I Vaccinate My Child?

Vaccinations can save your child’s life. Certain diseases that killed thousands of children in the past have been either eliminated or are close to being completed eradicated. Unfortunately, outbreaks may re-emerge. Preventable diseases like chickenpox, mumps, measles, and whooping cough continue to exist in the US, causing countless and needless hospitalizations and deaths each year.
Vaccinations protect against complications of serious diseases, including things such as hearing loss, brain damage, paralysis, convulsions, and even amputations!
Vaccines are both safe and effective. Doctors, scientists, the federal government and reputable medical organizations, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend protecting children with vaccinations.
Vaccinations protect not only your own children, but also your friends, family and other members of the community. Children who are not vaccinated can spread diseases to others, particularly to those who are too young to be vaccinated, or people with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer.

How Vaccines Work

Vaccines are weakened or dead versions of a disease. A vaccine allows a child’s immune system to recognize and combat the disease in question by building up antibodies that protect them if and when they are exposed to the actual disease.

How Many Vaccines Does My Child Need?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published recommended immunization schedules for children up to 18 years of age, which include the following at various ages:

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
Haemophilus influenza (Hib)
Polio (IPV)
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DPT)
Hepatitis A & B
Varicella (chickenpox)
Rotavirus
Pneumococcal disease

It is helpful to have a records form to keep track of these immunizations, which your child’s medical provider can give to you.

Where to Get Your Child Immunized

St. Anthony Clinics in Carroll, Breda, Coon Rapids, Denison, Manning, Wall Lake and Westside, IA will help make sure your child is on track for healthy growth and development. Our medical providers are trained to care for infants, children and adolescents. They perform routine well-child exams, sports and school physicals, immunizations and treatment for occasional and on-going illnesses. To schedule a wellness check for your child visit www.stanthonyhospital.org/locations/ to find a location near you.

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Sources:
_{http://www.vaccineinformation.org/vaccines-save-lives/

https://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCFiveReasonstoVaccinateYourChild.pdf

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=why-childhood-immunizations-are-important-1-4510

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html#birth-15

https://www.stanthonyhospital.org/services/pediatrics/

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/campaigns/immunizations/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/index.html}