Immunizations are one of the most important ways for you to protect your children and yourself from serious diseases and infections.
Newborn babies are immune to many diseases because of antibodies passed from their mothers. But this immunity only lasts a month to a year. Before vaccines, many children died from diseases that vaccines now prevent, such as whooping cough, measles, and polio.
If a child is not vaccinated and is exposed to a disease, the child’s body may not be strong enough to fight the disease. To be effective, vaccines must be given on a set schedule, beginning during the child’s first two years of life.
As a parent, you work to protect your child, and vaccines are a valuable tool in your ongoing efforts to keep your child healthy and safe. If you are not sure your child’s vaccines are up-to-date, call your child’s doctor to make sure.
For more information about childhood immunizations, visit these websites:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
