Public Health Column<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Parents agree that feeding and sleep schedules are important to help keep their children healthy. The same goes for childhood immunizations. Vaccinating children on time is the best way to protect them against 14 serious and potentially deadly diseases before their second birthday. National Infant Immunization Week is an opportunity to spread awareness and education on how important it is to vaccinate children against vaccine preventable diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before a vaccine is approved for use in the U.S., it goes through years of careful testing to make sure it is safe and effective. Highly trained scientists and doctors at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluate the results of these clinical studies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vaccines are only given to children after they have been approved by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals.It is important to follow the recommended immunization schedule to protect infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they encounter potentially life-threatening diseases. Even before a baby is born, the mother can beginprotecting her baby against vaccine preventable diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the CDC, all pregnant women are recommended to receive the whooping cough vaccine (Tdap) and influenza (flu) vaccine during each pregnancy.1The recommended time to get the Tdap shot is during the 27ththrough 36thweek of pregnancy and the influenza shot can be given at any time during flu season, typically October through May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pregnant women who receive these vaccines pass along the antibodies to their baby to protect them from diseases for the first several months after their birth, when they are too young to get vaccinated. Additionally, it is also important for immediate family, such as spouses, grandparents, and anyone who will be in close contact with a new baby to receive theTdap vaccine and the influenza vaccine during flu season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vaccinating your baby according to the recommended immunization schedule gives your child the best protection against 14 serious childhood illnesses like measles and whooping cough before they are2 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recommended schedule is designed to protect infants and children early in life, when they are most vulnerable and before they are exposed topotentially life-threatening diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the number of vaccines a child needs in the first two years may seem like a lot, doctors know a great deal about the human immune system, and they know that a healthy baby\u2019s immune system can handle getting all vaccines when they are recommended. \u201cIt is critical for children to stay current on their vaccinations, especially during this global pandemic\u201d explains Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services of Genesee and Orleans Counties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe know these are scary and uncertain times and many families aren\u2019t sure whether they should bring their child to see their pediatrician for routine visits. It is important that infants and toddlers continue to receive their immunizations on time. Immunizations keep infants and children safe by protecting them from vaccine preventable diseases. There is also no known benefit to delaying vaccination. In fact, it puts babies at risk of getting sick because they are left vulnerable to catch serious diseases during the time they are not protected by vaccines.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have questions about the childhood immunization schedule, talk with your child\u2019s doctor or nurse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about vaccines, please visit: http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/parents.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Public Health Column Parents agree that feeding and sleep schedules are important to help keep their children healthy. The same goes for childhood immunizations. Vaccinating children on time is the best way to protect them against 14 serious and potentially deadly diseases before their second birthday. National Infant Immunization Week \u2026<\/p>\n