Children are surrounded by bacteria and viruses. Some of these bacteria and viruses can cause serious, even life-threatening diseases like meningitis, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Immunizations safeguard your child’s health, and they are easily available from your pediatrician.
What You Need To Know About Immunizations
Immunizations are especially important for children because children are one of the most vulnerable age groups. The immune system of a child is not as robust as that of an adult. Children have a more difficult time fighting off diseases, and the symptoms can be much more severe in children.
In the past, contagious diseases like diphtheria, flu, and polio often killed people, and children were very susceptible. Now, thanks to the development of vaccines, children can be immunized to protect them from diseases.
Let’s look at just a few of the reasons why immunizations are important. Consider that immunizations are:
- Safe, because the vaccines used have been rigorously tested and approved by both the FDA and CDC, before they are released for public use
- Convenient, because vaccines can be easily administered at well visit and school or sports physical appointments with the pediatrician
- Effective, because the vaccines have a success rate of 90% to 99% according to healthychildren.org
- Required, so your child can attend daycare or school
The Centers for Disease Control publishes guidelines for which immunizations children need from birth through age 18. These vaccines are:
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
- Polio
- Pneumococcal conjugate
- Rotavirus
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Chickenpox
- Hepatitis A
- Human papillomavirus
- Meningococcal conjugate
- Flu
- COVID
To view or print the current immunization schedule from the CDC, please click here:
When your child is immunized, it protects your child, your family members, your child’s playmates, and your child’s teachers from contagious diseases. You can help prevent the spread of disease by having your child immunized.
Want To Know More About the Importance of Immunizations?
To find out more about the importance of immunizations and how they can protect your child’s health, talk with your pediatrician today.