1. Vaccinate Your Child
There is often criticism of childhood vaccinations and their use to prevent serious illnesses. People often wonder why they need to continue to vaccinate their children against polio--no one gets polio anymore! The reason that there is no longer polio running rampant is exactly the reason they need to be vaccinated. Polio has all but been eradicated in countries where children are vaccinated for the disease on a regular, consistent basis. Vaccinate your children to protect them against diseases and illnesses that could cost them greatly.
2. How Vaccines Work
When vaccines are given to a child (or adult) they help your body to create antibodies that are used to defend your child's body against germs. Your child's body can create antibodies on its own and does as it wards off many common colds, stomach bugs and other childhood rights of passage. What's different about the diseases that your child is being vaccinated against is that most of them would cause severe illness, disability and even death before enough antibodies were created to ward off the disease on their own.
3. When, Where, What?
As they research and learn more about the vaccinations given to your children, the medical establishment learns more about when is best to give each particular injection. Certain vaccinations--like measles--work best if given after the age of one year. Still other vaccinations work best if given spaced out over time. The governing bodies of medicine and health for your country and world produce a vaccination schedule that best suits all individual vaccinations and their optimum effectiveness as well as spacing the vaccinations appropriately for the health and wellness of your child.
4. What to do if Your Child is Behind on Their Shots
There are some reasons why children may fall behind schedule or not begin the regimen when planned. In most cases the child can easily catch up by beginning when the health concerns that caused the delay are resolved. Your doctor or health department can help you best determine the course of action needed to bring your child up to date on their vaccinations. It is important to note, that just because children can "catch up" if doses are missed it doesn't follow that vaccinations should be skipped haphazardly.
5. When You Should Postpone Immunizations
There are rarely reasons to avoid vaccinating your child. There are however, some causes for concern that may delay vaccination. If your child is sick, more than just a common cold, ear infection or flu, or has a severe life threatening allergy then its possible you need to delay your child's vaccinations. If your child has had a severe reaction after receiving a shot or has a weakened immune system because of specific medical conditions or medications you may need to wait. Delaying vaccinations might be best if your child has received a blood transfusion recently or has ever suffered any convulsions or nervous system problems. Your health care provider will help you to decide whats best for you and your child.
