NEWS OPINIONS HISTORY KIDS ADVERTISING SUBSCRIPTIONS ABOUT US CONTACT LOCAL LINKS

October 15, 2003  

Immunize Babies Today to Protect Them & Others Tomorrow

Children need more than 80% of their vaccinations in the first 24 months of their lives to protect them against disease, disability and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vac cination is one of the most important ways parents can protect their children’s health.  “Love Them. Protect Them. Immunize Them,” is the theme of National Infant Immunization Week, April 13-19. The purpose is to convince parents and other caregivers that they should take responsibility for their child’s vaccinations: Keep a record of each immunization visit and ask about immunizations at every visit to your child’s doctor. The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) is helping to publicize the facts and importance of pediatric immunization to the public during this week – and also year round. MSSNY has also been educating physicians in special seminars around the state on how to address parent concerns and convince them that vaccinations are both necessary and safe.

  Vaccines Are Safe and Protect Children.

Immunizations are safe and protect children, their families and communities. Although there has been concern within the past few years that some vaccines might cause autism or sudden infant death syndrome, recent studies have shown no relationship. Vaccines occasionally cause reactions, but most are mild, like a sore arm or a slight fever. Serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare. Your child’s doctor can discuss the risk of side effects with you before your child gets a shot and what to do in the unlikely event that a serious side effect does occur.

  Vaccines are one of history’s most successful and cost-effective public health tools for preventing serious disease and death. Diseases that were once commonplace – such as polio, measles, mumps, whooping cough, diphtheria and rubella – are now only memories for many Americans. That also means that most parents of young children have never seen these diseases and the suffering they can cause and are therefore less concerned about the need for vaccination.

  Despite recent gains, more than 20% of this country’s two-year-olds are still lacking one or more of the recommended immunizations. More than 900,000 of our nation’s existing children are not fully immunized, and 11,000 more children are born each day, with a need of the protection vaccines provide. 

 
All Contents Copyright 2003 Highbridge Horizon and Highbridge Community Life Center