It’s National Infant Immunization Week! This annual observance sheds light on the important of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. We'd like to share the following resources to help parents and care-givers understand the infant immunization schedule and the importance of getting your child vaccinated.
Infants are especially vulnerable to infections, which is why it is so important to protect them with immunizations. Infant immunizations are designed to help improve the health of children two years old or younger, and can now protect infants from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two! Many believe that certain serious diseases are 'in the past' when, in fact, they still exist. For example, the US has experienced record numbers of measles cases since it was "eliminated" in 2000. 667 cases from 27 states were reported in 2014.
The following diseases can be prevented with infant vaccines:
- Chickenpox
- Diphtheria
- Flu
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hib
- HPV
- Measles
- Mumps
- Pneumococcal
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Shingles
- Tetanus
- Whooping cough
When Should You Vaccinate Your Child?
Check out this easy to read version of the CDC’s infant immunization schedule. It will explain the specific vaccines your child should recieve when they reach certain ages. If your child has missed a shot, please speak with your pediatrition or family practitioner. You should also let them know if your child has any medical conditions they are unaware of that put them at risk for infection or if they will be traveling outside the US. Your infant may need additional vaccines for protection.
5 Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
- Immunizations can save your child’s life. Thanks to advances in medical science and technology, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever!
- Vaccination is safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. Though vaccines may cause some discomfort, pain, redness, or tenderness on the area of injection, this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the disease itself.
- Immunizations protect others you care about. Making sure your children are fully immunized helps prevent the spread of disease to your friends, loves ones, and community members who are unable to recieve vaccines.
- Immunizations can help save your family time and money. Schools and child care facilities can deny attendance to children who have a vaccine-preventable disease. Some diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In addition, getting your child vaccinated is a good investment that is usually covered by insurance.
- Immunizations protect future generations. Vaccines have reduced, and in some cases eliminated, many diseases that have killed or left many people severely disabled.
Questions? Ask Your Pediatrician!
If you have questions or concerns about getting your child immunized or the immunization schedule, please speak with their pediatrician or family practitioner at their next office visit. They will be happy to answer your questions and can help you feel confident in choosing to immunize your child. If your child is in need of a pediatrician or if you are pregnant and you would like help finding a local office, call our Concierge Care Coordinator at (518) 782-3800. They will be able to assist you in finding the best pediatrician who can meet your family's needs.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/overview.html
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infantcare/conditioninfo/immunization
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-diseases.html
https://www.vaccines.gov/getting/for_parents/five_reasons