Vaccines or immunizations are an essential part of living a healthy life. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a reminder for people of all ages to get shots to protect them from serious and sometimes fatal diseases. There are helpful vaccines for all people, from birth to pregnancy and into later adulthood. Well planned vaccines can pass on immunity from mom to baby. Women who are planning to become pregnant need important vaccines to avoid complications during pregnancy and prevent certain birth defects due to diseases like Rubella, Measles and Mumps.
Vaccines give parents the safe, proven power to protect their children from preventable diseases. When children and adults are not vaccinated, they are at risk for disease and can spread illness to others who may have weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Babies can be protected from 14 different diseases by age 2 with proper immunizations. Following the recommended immunization schedule is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their children’s health.
It is common to have questions about vaccines for children. You may view this video from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of frequently asked questions to assist you in getting answers about vaccines from qualified medical professionals. HPV is another vaccine that many parents wonder about. CDC helps explain when and why a young child, who may not be sexually active, would need this protection. Providing timely immunizations for children can be as simple as adding your baby’s shot schedule to your scrapbook. Make immunizations part of a healthy routine, just as you would breastfeeding, play dates, story time and snuggles!
This blog was written by Labor of Love contributors Catherine Roth, CCHW, and Darlene Lundquist, RN. To learn more about our Labor of Love program, click here.