Immunization works!

  • By Leslie Knowing, Holmes County Health Department
  • May 8, 2010
  • 517
                        
In the U.S., immunizations continue to successfully eliminate or reduce many vaccine-preventable diseases. However, there are some parents who have decided to limit the number of vaccines given to their children or have decided to not immunize at all. Repeated studies have failed to show that today’s vaccines have caused serious permanent damage to children who have received the full schedule of immunization at the recommended ages but parents continue to be cautious. Many of the unimmunized or under-immunized children are partially protected from disease because the majority of children in the community are immunized. They benefit from “herd” immunity; they “ride with the herd.” But what would happen if the majority of parents decided to refuse immunization? Decreasing immunization rates can be compared to bailing out a boat with a slow leak. When we started bailing, the boat was filled with water (disease). But we have been bailing fast and hard (getting immunized) and now it is almost dry. We could say, “Good. The boat is dry now, so we can throw away the bucket and relax”. But the leak hasn’t stopped. The diseases are still present, although in small numbers. Before long, we’d notice a little water seeping in, and soon it might be back up to the same level as when we started. Unless we stop the leak (eliminate the disease), it is important to keep immunizing. Otherwise, more and more people will be infected and pass the diseases to others. Discuss immunizations with your doctor or the health department. Educate yourself and immunize your children. Protect them and the community. Call 33-674-2708 for more information.


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