The Importance of Vaccinating Your Child


Best Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunization prevents 2-3 million deaths globally every year. Keep reading to learn the benefits of keeping up with your child’s regular vaccinations.

Vaccines Can Save Your Child's Life and Health

Polio is a perfect example of a once deadly disease that we've virtually eliminated thanks to the power of vaccination. Years ago, thousands of children suffered the devastating effects of polio, including disability for life and death, and today there are no reports of active polio infection in the United States. Unless we maintain vigilant vaccination protocols, that could someday change.

Vaccines Are Safe

Only after careful study and review by scientists and doctors is a vaccine recommended as part of a child's immunization schedule. Serious adverse reactions are extremely rare, and the most common side effects involve minor discomfort for only a short period of time.

Additionally, myths surround the idea that certain vaccinations such as the flu shot can actually make you sick. However, the strains of influenza used for the vaccine are either inactivated (no longer infectious), or a substrate created to mimic the flu. Either way, the shot cannot give you or your child the flu.

Vaccines Keep Other Children Healthy

While vaccination on a regular schedule is recommended for all healthy children, there are a few exceptions where children should avoid these immunizations, such as severe allergic reactions or illnesses that compromise immune response, such as leukemia.

By keeping your child's shots up to date, you help prevent the spread of disease to yourself, the general public, and children who are unable to have immunizations.

Vaccinating Today Saves the Generations of Tomorrow

Did you know that measles and mumps can potentially cause infertility in men in later life? Or that rubella was once frequently passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child, with potentially devastating consequences?

These are diseases that not only had an effect on the sick child but could also have frightening effects on future children. Today, immunization keeps harmful diseases from being passed on to the next generation. It's critical that we never let these conditions gain ground again in our children today.

Vaccines Save Money and Time for You and Your Family

Taking time off for illness is never fun or easy. Not only is time lost from work or school when someone is sick, in many cases, a child will not be able to enroll in public school or daycare unless their immunization schedule is up to date. This is to protect every child in attendance.

Most routine immunizations are covered by health insurance, as well, including state funds like Medicaid. Financially, vaccination makes sense for everyone.

CDC Recommended Vaccine Timeline

There are a number of vaccines that the CDC notes are vital to keeping your child healthy from birth to 15 months, including:

  • Hepatitis B — 1st dose at birth, 2nd dose at 1-2 months, 3rd dose at 4-15 months.

  • Rotavirus — 1st dose at 2 months, 2nd dose at 4 months.

  • DTAP — 1st dose at 2 months, 2nd dose at 4 months, 3rd dose at 6 months, 4th dose between 15 through 18 months, and 5th dose between 4 through 6 years.

  • Poliovirus — 1st dose at 2 months, 2nd dose at 4 months, 3rd dose at 6 to 15 months.

  • Influenza — should be received every year at the start of the flu season.

Note: You should always consult with your child’s doctor to determine the full list of vaccinations appropriate for your child throughout their development years.

Arlington Vaccines & Immunizations

Help stem the tide of disease in your community by scheduling an appointment at Urgentology Care in Arlington today. Stop in or give us a call at (817) 799-7273.

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