1. Diseased Invaders
Disease runs rampant in civilization. Remember the plague? Disease wiped out large populations. When you're ill with a specific disease, your antibodies fight the antigens of that disease. If you survive, cells remember the invaders and don't allow them back in the human body battleground. Humans have two ways to gain these memory cells that lead to immunity. One is to catch the disease and successfully fight it off. The other safer method is immunizations. Interestingly, scientists create vaccines from the disease antigens they fight. However, the antigens are so weak that the antibodies in the human body easily overpower these bad guys.
2. Take a Shot for Health
It's kids who need vaccines most of all. Unlike adults, children's immune systems don't have much experience fighting things off. Immunizations provide kids with the resources to fight disease. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting immunizations soon after birth with the first of three hepatitis B shots. From that point and until starting school, children receive vaccines and booster vaccines for IPV (polio), varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis A, DtaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis), Hib (meningitis) and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). Some pediatricians also recommend vaccinations like the pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia) and annual flu shots.
3. There Are Some Risks
Immunizations can also be scary for parents. Every couple of years, the news media reports a new scare about childhood vaccines. The truth is that there's no conclusive evidence that children catch autism or sudden infant death syndrome from immunizations, although all happen at similar ages. Children sometimes have reactions from vaccines, but they're usually mild, such as soreness or a low-grade fever. Still, it's a good idea to delay immunizations if a child isn't feeling well. The antibodies of a sick child are already busy fighting an illness and don't need the extra work. If your child has a special health risk like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, always talk to your doctor first about vaccinations.
4. Just a Little Pinch
Doctors and nurses tell children that it's "just a little pinch," but parents can keep immunizations from being stressful for kids. Remember, kids pick up lots of clues from parents, so the most important thing you can do is appear calm and confident. When it's time for a shot, have children relax with some deep breathing and distract them by singing a song. Realize that most kids shed a few tears and just need Mom or Dad to comfort them. As children grow older, explain that immunizations keep them well. Provide only the information your child asks for. Too much information often leads to increased anxiety.
5. Traveler Beware
Just when you thought is was safe to roll down your shirt sleeves, more immunizations come around. In addition to needing booster vaccines for things like tetanus-diphtheria every ten years, you may also need vaccinations before travel. Check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about recommended and required immunizations for where you're traveling. Once you have a list of what you need, get those immunizations about six weeks before travel time to allow the vaccines time to take effect in your body.
