Parents’ guide to vaccines schedules: Keeping children safe

By YOUR HEALTH

Just before children reach 2 years old, they could already be potentially exposed to up to 14 serious diseases. That’s 14 diseases that could be fatal or have devastating effects that will affect them throughout life.

That’s where vaccines come into play and the protective shield they provide literally last from cradle to grave. It is important for parents to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended immunization schedule to protect infants from 14 such diseases before their second birthday.

The CDC sets the recommended immunization schedule as part of its efforts to promote and protect the health of everyone—from the time they are born until adulthood—against vaccine preventable diseases. Not only is CDC’s recommended immunization schedule safe, but it has proven to be effective in protecting infants and children from highly contagious diseases.

The schedule for childhood immunization has also received approval from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Approving the schedule for adult vaccination are the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

It is often asked if an infant needs to get vaccinated right after birth and the answer is a resounding yes. Medical experts who have developed the immunization schedule have closely considered the timing to obtain vaccines to prevent compromising the health of newborns from life-threatening illnesses.

Parents are discouraged from delaying their children vaccinations since this will make them more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases that can sometimes lead to health complications.

Vaccination is considered as one of the best babyproofing plans and the earlier infants gets one, the better they will be able to fight off diseases that they may get from either exposure to anyone with a weakened immune system or during a disease outbreak.

Health care providers both at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Immunization Clinic and private medical clinics in the CNMI can help parents get anyone eligible to get vaccinated. They can also help parents catch up with their children’s immunization schedule should there be a delay in getting one.

To see the schedule, visit the following links:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child-easyread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/adolescent-easyread.html

Information and resources about vaccines are also available online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents; the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.healthychidlren.org; Immunize.org at www.vaccineinformation.org and at Vaccinate Your Family at www.vaccinateyourfamily.org

Editor’s Note

Editor’s Note: This article was originally intended for publication as part of a health supplement in celebration of National Immunization Awareness Month in August.