Vaccinating on Time is Important for Disease Protection

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.

“The recommended immunization schedule is designed to protect babies early in life, when they are vulnerable and before it’s likely that they will be exposed to diseases,” said Jodi Martin, Supervising Public Health Nurse with the Oswego County Health Department.

Public health and medical experts base their vaccine recommendations on many factors. They study information about diseases and vaccines very carefully to decide which vaccines kids should get and when they should get them for the best protection.

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’s immune system can handle getting all vaccines when they are recommended. Jiancheng Huang, Director of Public Health for Oswego County cautions against parents delaying vaccination.

“There is 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 fully protected by vaccines,” said Huang.

When parents choose not to vaccinate or to follow a delayed schedule, children are left unprotected against diseases that still circulate in this country, like measles and whooping cough. Since 2010, we have seen between 10,000 and 50,000 cases of whooping cough each year in the United States. And, up to 20 babies die from whooping cough each year in the United States. Most whooping cough deaths are among babies who are too young to be vaccinated.

“Staying on track with the immunization schedule ensures that children have the best protection against diseases like these by age 2,” Huang added.

Immunizations are provided every Tuesday afternoon from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Health Department’s office located at 70 Bunner St., Oswego.  Immunizations are also given on the third Tuesday of the month at the Health Department’s office in the Pulaski Courthouse, from 9 to 11 a.m.  Those attending should bring their shot record and insurance cards.

Those with questions about the childhood immunization schedule should talk with their child’s healthcare provider.  For more information about vaccines, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents or call the Oswego County Health Department weekdays at 349-3547.

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