Since the start of widespread vaccinations in the United States, the number of cases of once common childhood illnesses like measles and diptheria has declined dramatically. Immunizations have protected millions of kids from potentially deadly diseases and saved thousands of lives.
Because vaccines work by protecting the body before disease strikes, if you wait until your child gets sick, it will be too late for the vaccine to work. The best time to immunize kids is when they're healthy. Unfortunately, misinformation about vaccines could make some parents decide not to immunize their children, putting them and others at a greater risk for illness. To better understand the benefits and risks of vaccines, read on for answers to some common questions.
Are vaccines 100 percent effective?
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Few things in medicine work 100 percent of the time, but vaccines are one of the most effective weapons we have against disease — they work in 85 to 99 percent of cases. They greatly reduce your child's risk of serious illness (particularly when more and more people use them). It can be difficult to watch kids get a shot, but the short-term pain is nothing compared with suffering through a potentially deadly bout of diphtheria, pertussis, or measles.
Why should I have my child immunized if all the other kids in school are immunized?
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It is true that a single child's chance of catching a disease is low if everyone else is immunized. But your child is also exposed to people other than just those in school. And if one person thinks about skipping vaccines, chances are that others are thinking the same thing. Each child who isn't immunized gives these highly contagious diseases one more chance to spread.
Although vaccination rates are fairly high in the United States, there's no reliable way of knowing if everyone your child comes into contact with has been vaccinated, particularly now that so many people travel to and from other countries. So, the best way to protect your child is through immunization.
Can immunizations cause a bad reaction in my child?
The most common reactions to vaccines are minor and can include fever, redness, swelling, and soreness where the shot was given. In rare cases, immunizations can trigger more serious problems, such as seizures or severe allergic reactions. If your child has a history of allergies to food or medication, or has had a problem with a vaccine previously, make sure to let the doctor know before any vaccines are given. Every year, millions of kids are safely vaccinated and very few experience significant side effects.
When should I get my child immunized?
Your child’s pediatrician will have the most up-to-date schedule for recommended vaccinations. Or, you can call the Meriden Health Department at (203) 630-4234 for the immunization schedule, educational materials, and a list of vaccinations provided free of charge to children who live in Meriden.
Information from this article was adapted from KidsHealth.org
