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Why should I immunize my
child, aren’t most childhood diseases very rare now?
It is true that many childhood illnesses occur infrequently or even very
rarely these days. Disease such as polio and smallpox are nearly unheard
of in the United States due to the success of childhood
immunization. Other childhood illnesses, such as pertussis, chickenpox, and
measles still exist in the population. While we may consider these diseases to
be minor in severity, they are capable of causing long-term disability and even
death. Maintaining a high immunization rate provides protection for ourselves,
and others that may be too young or too sick to be immunized.
Are there immunizations recommended for adults?
Yes. Several
vaccines are routinely recommended for healthy adults, you may view the list on
the Vaccine Schedule page. There are additional shots that may be recommended
if you are in a high-risk health group.
What is ImmTrac? How will it
help me keep track of my child’s shots?
ImmTrac is the Texas Immunization Registry. It is a confidential registry
that stores your child’s shot record even if different providers gave shots.
There is no charge to join and you can obtain your child’s shot record
at anytime, at no cost. Authorized professionals, such as doctors, nurses,
schools, and daycare centers can also access the shot history. You can
join ImmTrac by giving your written consent when your child is born or
at your child’s vaccination visit. A consent form is also available for
download.
(http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/c-7.pdf).
I have heard a lot of
discussion but few facts about the HPV vaccination. How do I decide if I should
have my daughter immunized?
The HPV vaccine
prevents infection from the two most common types of Human Papilloma Virus
(types 16 and 18) that cause cervical cancer. For maximum
prevention, the vaccination (a series of three shots) should
be given before the age of sexual activity. The current recommendation is 11-to-12 years of age;
however, any age up to 26 years old is eligible. The decision to immunize your
daughter can be complicated and emotional. You may wish to educate yourself by
using the immunization resources, as well as discussing the topic with your
child’s doctor. It's great that there is so much information available for parents concerning vaccines and vaccine safety. Parents should have as much information as possible when making decisions about their children’s health. Unfortunately, there is a lot of information that is actually misinformation or just untrue. Please follow the links below for accurate information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about vaccines and vaccine safety.
Basic and Common Questions About Vaccines and Immunizations
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