Why Vaccinate?
Simply put, vaccines save lives. You have the power to protect your baby from dangerous illnesses like measles, tetanus and hepatitis. Being a parent is a big responsibility, and the best thing you can do for your child's health is to learn the facts so that you can make the best choices.
Thanks to our nation's successful vaccination program, parents today have been spared witnessing the devastating effects of many diseases. Polio, for example, paralyzed millions of children worldwide before the vaccine was created. In the U.S. and the world, measles infects nearly 23 million people each year. In 2005, measles killed about 345,000 people (311,000 of which were children under the age of five.
Diseases such as hepatitis, whooping cough and measles can still infect children that are not protected. In fact, each year the press publishes stories of disease outbreaks in undervaccinated communities across the United States.
Claims have been made over the years regarding the safety of some routine childhood vaccines suggesting that they are the cause of disorders such as autism. Top researchers from around the world have investigated each of these claims and concluded that vaccines do not cause autism or any other chronic disorders.
Preventing Disease
Vaccines have become essential tools in preventing previously devastating, widespread disease by significantly reducing childhood infection rates.
Protecting Public Health
When the children in your community are vaccinated, they aren't the only ones who are protected. They're also doing their part to keep your child healthy and to help stop the spread of disease in your community.
History of Disease Eradication
Active vaccination programs have helped to reduce, or in some cases virtually eliminate, the threat of some of the most dangerous childhood diseases.
