Vaccinations for Your Child

Jul 22
08:00

2011

Andrea Avery

Andrea Avery

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There are multiple vaccinations that parents should get for their children to keep them healthy. Here are some things to think about.

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Vaccinations are given in a scheduled sequence throughout childhood. Beginning in the early months of life,Vaccinations for Your Child Articles babies are given doses of preventative serums that will protect them from an array of life threatening diseases. These shots are given at such an early timeframe so that youngsters are protected when they are most vulnerable. Some parents wonder if getting their tots vaccinated is a good idea. In modern times, many devastating illnesses have been largely eradicated due to all the protection offered by these serums.

Young parents might not have any firsthand knowledge of children becoming extremely ill or even dying from the diseases that vaccinations prevent. People may begin to feel that they and their offspring are invincible and rebel against the vaccinating process. It only takes one round of seeing one’s young child nearly die from something they could have been immunized against to be humbled around these cocky attitudes. Here are some things to think about:

-Schools and daycare centers: In order to enroll a child in a school or a daycare center, parents must provide a doctor-signed immunization record for their youngster. This shows that they will not be exposing the other kids or their own child to illnesses which become more prevalent in group settings. There are waivers parents may sign due to religious beliefs or allergies. If an outbreak of disease occurs in the region, the child who has waived immunizations will have to stay home.

- What it’s like to have one’s child become ill with a preventable disease: Years ago, the HIB (full name is Haemophilus influenzae type b4) shot was optional. It was given to children before they entered kindergarten. Eventually, the age for receiving the immunization was moved up to 18 months of age and then to 2 months. When a child contracts this disease, for example, he or she will end up in the hospital for ten days or even longer. This illness affects their spinal and brain fluids. Repercussions from having HIB include deafness, brain injury and death. Parents who watch their young children suffering in the hospital will be kicking themselves for deciding against this or other vaccinations that could have prevented the trouble.

- Immunizations that are available: Vaccines to prevent HIB, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, pneumonia, measles, mumps, rubella, and the chicken pox are all available today to keep kids healthy and disease free. Children who are seen by their pediatricians for regular well-child checkups will be given these as a matter of course. Other lower cost options include the county health department and shot clinics provided by various public health organizations.

All parents want their kids to grow up healthy and happy. Ways to accomplish this include providing youngsters with nutritious foods, opportunities to exercise and play outdoors, exposure to nature, play-dates with other youngsters, positive reinforcement, lots of unconditional love and attention and regular checkups with their dentist and doctor. Making sure that kids are up to date on their vaccinations is another way of protecting them so that they grow up strong and well.

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