Vaccines are an important part of preventative health care for our children. Thanks to vaccines, some diseases have been almost completely eliminated from our country. Although these diseases such as polio and measles have been almost eradicated completely, because they still exist in small numbers, it is especially important to continue to vaccinate against them. The reason for this is because if we stop vaccinating, the small number of cases will continue to spread amongst our population and will soon become widespread. We vaccinate to protect our children, ourselves, and our elderly populations. Vaccines help prevent the spread of disease to other people who are unable to be vaccinated, such as babies and individuals who are immunocompromised. By vaccinating, we are not only protecting our generation but our future generations as well.
Sometimes articles in the media and news can be confusing and may distort our perception of the benefits of vaccines. It may make us wary of the dangers of vaccines. However, it has been proven that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh any risk that come with vaccines. If you have any concerns about the risks of vaccines, please speak with your pediatrician.
Please visit the CDC website for more information about vaccines and the recommended vaccine schedule.