keep your child healthy with childhood vaccines
There are many things we do as parents to keep our children safe and healthy. We cover electrical outlets, strap our children into car seats, and have our babies sleep on their backs. As they get older, we insist they ride their bike with a helmet. Even as teenagers, we tell them not to use their phones while driving. One other thing that should be on our list to keep our children healthy is making sure they get all of their vaccinations on time.
What to vaccines do? Vaccines contain small parts of a germ (called antigens) that are injected into the body. This causes the body to create antibodies. These antibodies stay in the body and will remember the germ so that if it enters the body again, the immune system can destroy the germ without causing the person to become ill.
Why so many shots at such a young age? Young children have better immune responses than adults. Also, the amount of antigen in any given vaccine is very small. The diseases that vaccines protect against are the most dangerous for young children, which is why we want to give them when they are very young. Many combination vaccines are now available; this means that your child can receive one shot but receive the vaccine for two, three, on up to six different diseases all at the same time.
Why do we vaccinate against diseases that we no longer see? Many of the diseases that we vaccinate against in the United States are prevalent in other parts of the world. This means that someone returning from travel could bring the disease back with them. Other diseases, such as pertussis (whooping cough), are typically very mild diseases for adults but can have serious consequences for babies and young children. Measles was nearly eliminated in the United States and other parts of the world, but due to declining immunization rates, we are seeing an increased number of measles outbreaks.
What about natural immunity? Isn’t that better? Our bodies are great at fighting off infections and illnesses, this is true. However, many diseases can be more dangerous to try and fight off if we were to contract it. They can cause hearing loss, convulsions, paralysis, loss of an arm or leg, pneumonia, brain, damage, and even death. These are the diseases for which scientists and doctors have worked to develop vaccines.
Are vaccines safe? Vaccines are very safe. The most common side effects are pain and redness at the injection site and a low-grade fever. Serious side effects are very rare, the most common being a severe allergic reaction which doctors and nurses administering the vaccines are prepared to deal with.
What about autism? In 1998, a claim was made that there was a connection between vaccines and autism. Despite multiple attempts by other researchers, no one has ever been able to replicate the results. The British journal that published the original article has said they were deceived and have since pulled the article. The doctor who made those claims has had his medical license revoked. On going research has found no connection to autism and vaccines.
Vaccines have been around since the first smallpox vaccine was developed by Edward Jenner in 1798. Since then, vaccines have become an important part of our health care. They prevent our children from developing potentially deadly diseases. It is important for children to receive the recommended vaccinations on time.
You can contact your child’s health care provider to set up an appointment for them to receive their recommended vaccines. As another option, Jackson County Public Health also provides all childhood vaccines to children who are on Badger Care or do not have insurance. Vaccine clinic days are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 9-4:30. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are preferred. If these dates or times do not work or if you have additional questions, please call 715-284-4301, ext. 374.