Important reasons to vaccinate your child

Immunizations can save your child’s life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Vaccines are safe and effective. They are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors and healthcare professionals.

Vaccinations aren’t all given right after a baby is born. They’re mostly spaced throughout the first 24 months of a child’s life to provide protection when the child is most vulnerable. Vaccines are given in several stages or doses based on standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By the time children reach age 2, they should have received enough shots to be immunized against 14 serious diseases: chickenpox (varicella), diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, Hib disease, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, pneumococcal infection, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus and influenza.

It’s important that school-aged children are up to date on their immunizations. State laws establish vaccination requirements for school children that often apply to children attending private schools and day cares as well as public schools. Proof of immunization is often required for enrollment.

You don’t need to remember the vaccination schedule on your own. Your child’s doctor will guide you through the process or get you back on track if some immunizations were missed. Or check out the recommended immunization schedule.