Protecting your child's health is very important to you. That's why most parents choose immunization. Nothing protects babies better from 14 serious childhood diseases. Choose immunization. It's the powerful defense that's safe, proven, and effective. Immunization gives you the power to protect your baby from 14 serious childhood diseases.
There are many reasons to vaccinate.
Serious Diseases Are Still Out There
Reducing and eliminating the diseases that vaccines prevent is one of the top achievements in the history of public health. But, because of this success, most young parents have never seen the devastating effects that diseases like polio, measles, or whooping cough (pertussis) can have on a family or community. It's easy to think of these as diseases that only existed in the past. But the truth is they still exist. In fact, when vaccination rates drop in a community, it's not uncommon to have an outbreak.
Diseases Don't Stop at the Border, and Many Can Spread Easily
You may have never seen a case of polio or diphtheria, but they still occur in other countries. All it takes is a plane ride for these diseases to arrive in your community. One example is measles. Measles is not very common in the United States due to vaccination, but it is still common in many parts of the world. The disease is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers who are infected while abroad. After reaching this country, measles can spread quickly among unvaccinated people.
Vaccines are the Safe, Proven Choice
The United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. Before a vaccine is approved and given to children, it is tested extensively. Scientists and medical professionals carefully evaluate all the available information about the vaccine to determine its safety and effectiveness. As new information and science become available, vaccine recommendations are updated. Children Need Protection Early
The recommended childhood immunization schedule is designed to protect infants and children early in life, when they are most vulnerable. To be fully immunized, children need all doses of the vaccines per the recommended schedule. Not receiving the full number of doses leaves a child vulnerable to catching serious diseases. It is important to your child's health to be up-to-date on immunizations.
Vaccines Mean Fewer Missed Work Days and School Days
A child who gets a vaccine-preventable disease may have to miss school or day care for many days or weeks. Time lost from work to care for a sick child can cause a financial burden for the family. These diseases can also cause lasting disabilities that result in expensive medical bills and long-term care.
Vaccination Protects Your Family, Friends, and Community
Getting your child vaccinated helps protect others in your community—like your neighbor who has cancer and cannot get certain vaccines, or your best friend's newborn baby who is too young to be fully vaccinated. When everyone in a community who can get vaccinated does get vaccinated, it helps to prevent the spread of disease and can slow or stop an outbreak. Choosing to protect your child with vaccines is also a choice to help protect your family, friends, and neighbors, too. Sources: www.cdc.gov
Download: Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 Years UNITED STATES, 2016