Over the years, as vaccines have become widely administered in the U.S., there has been a significant decrease in the number of cases of many childhood diseases and illnesses. But it is important for children to continue being immunized against these diseases in order to keep them from coming back. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and it’s a great time for you and your family to catch up on their vaccinations.
Many schools have vaccination requirements for students before they can matriculate, from preschool to college and beyond. The CDC recommends getting your child on a vaccination schedule as early as possible. Children younger than 5 are especially vulnerable to infections because their immune systems have not yet built up the necessary defenses. Immunizing your child early will help protect your child and others from spreading diseases.
A vaccine contains either a dead or weakened part of a germ that causes a particular disease. This allows your body to practice fighting the disease by developing antibodies that recognize that type of germ. When your body has learned to respond in this way you have developed an immunity to that disease.As with any medication, there are risks and potential side effects associated with treatment. But it is important to learn the facts because the risks are much lower than the chances of catching a disease if a child is not vaccinated, which could be much more dangerous.
Check out Kid’s Health for the answers to many frequently asked questions regarding child vaccinations.
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