One of the most unnecessarily controversial topics in medicine today is whether vaccines are necessary. Ask any reputable medical expert from around the world, and you will get a resounding “yes” as an answer to this question. The effectiveness and need for vaccines to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases has been demonstrated numerous times.
Here are five reasons why parents should vaccinate their children.
What Are Vaccines?
Vaccines, or immunizations, are specially prepared formulas that, when introduced to the body, help the immune system fight off communicable diseases. Many vaccines are composed of small amounts of live, dead, or attenuated (weakened) micro-organisms. In response to them, the human body produces antibodies, the major combatants against acute diseases such as measles, chicken pox, diphtheria, mumps, hepatitis, pneumonia, the flu, and more.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publish recommended vaccine schedules for infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatricians follow these schedules to ensure pediatric patients remain healthy. For children who are behind on their immunizations, doctors follow a catch-up schedule.
Five Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
Sometimes, the efficacy, necessity, and safety of vaccines are questioned. However, there is a huge amount of research and evidence available that proves that vaccines are safe, effective, and necessary for disease control. There are many good reasons to vaccinate your child. Here are just five of them.
1. Vaccines have drastically improved childhood health over the past few generations.
Devastating illnesses, such as polio, are all but eradicated in developed countries, such as the United States, due to vaccines. Parents no longer need to worry about their children suffering long-term health complications or even succumb to certain diseases that once harmed millions.
2. Vaccines work, and they are safe.
Childhood immunizations rarely cause adverse effects, such as severe allergic reactions, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Local reactions, such as soreness and redness, can happen, as can low-grade fevers. These typically resolve quickly. There is no evidence of long-term health problems caused by vaccines.
3. Vaccines confer herd immunity.
The more people who are vaccinated, the safer the general population becomes. This includes young babies and immunocompromised people, such as cancer patients, who are not old enough or healthy enough to be immunized. Parents perform a great community service by having their own children protected from disease by immunizations.
4. Vaccines are readily available.
There’s no need to travel all over town to get your youngster vaccinated. This important service is readily available at your pediatric clinic in The Woodlands and Spring, TX. Additionally, federally funded vaccine programs help parents obtain vaccines at no cost. Just ask your pediatric doctor for information.
5. Your child’s school, sports club, camp, and other organizations require records of vaccinations.
Your pediatrician keeps track of which vaccines your child has received and when. The office provides this documentation when requested by other parties, such as your child’s school or college.
Your Pediatrician in The Woodlands and Spring, TX
At Northwoods Pediatric Center, our four board-certified pediatricians and caring team deliver a wide range of medical services from birth through the college years. We feel privileged to partner with parents in raising their youngsters to be healthy, well-functioning individuals, and frankly, we enjoy what we do!
Please call us if you have any questions about child vaccinations or any other health concern. We are here to help. Call (281) 296-7770, or request an appointment online.
