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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 cocooning? Who does it involve?
Cocooning is a strategy recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which encourages vaccinating all people who will be in contact with newborns and infants to protect newborns from disease by keeping all those around them disease free.
Cocooning is especially important to protect infants from the pertussis (whooping cough) disease, because infants are most likely to die if not treated by a doctor early in the illness.
Cocooning involves anyone and everyone who may come in close contact with the infant. This includes the mother, the father, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, any other relative, doctors, nurses, babysitters, daycare workers, nursery staff, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone else you know will be holding and contacting the infant.
For more information, visit the following website:
http://cocooning.preventpertussis.org/
What is mmTrac? How will it
help me keep track of my child’s shots?
ImmTrac is the Texas Immunization Registry for Texans of all ages. It is a confidential registry that stores shot records for you, your children, everyone in your family, even if different providers gave shots. It is FREE, there is no charge to join and you can obtain shot records at anytime, at no cost. Authorized professionals, such as doctors, nurses, schools, and daycare centers can also access the shot history. As an adult, you can join ImmTrac by giving your written consent at any time. You can sign up your child when your child is born, at your child’s vaccination visit, or at any time.
For more information, visit the ImmTrac website:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/immtrac/
Child Consent Form (17 years of age or younger)
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/c-7.pdf
Adult Consent Form (18 years of age and older)
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/F11-13366.pdf
Is there mercury in vaccines?
In 2001, except for the influenza (flu) vaccine, thimerosal (ethylmercury) was removed from or reduced in all vaccines recommended for children 6 years of age and under.
All mercury is not the same: methylmercury is found naturally occurring in the environment and finds its way through the food chain into fish, animals, and humans while ethylmercury is a different form of mercury and is found in the influenza vaccine.
Ethylmercury is broken down differently and quicker than methylmercury and is less likely to build up in the body and cause harm.
For a list of vaccines and their thimerosal (ethylmercury) content level, please visit this website:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Thimerosal document
For more information, please visit the website link below:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Concerns/thimerosal/thimerosal_faqs.html
I have heard that vaccinations cause autism, is this true? Where can I learn more?
At this time, all the evidence shows that vaccinations
do not cause autism. Multiple court verdicts and case outcomes, along with numerous research conducted by a variety of researchers worldwide throughout many years, all scientifically and with sound evidence support that vaccines or their ingredients do not cause autism.
While more research continues to be done to understand more fully what can cause autism spectrum disorders, parents and concerned citizens thankfully have access to credible information when seeking more information about this topic. Several recommended websites and documents are listed below:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Concerns/Autism/Index.html
The Autism Science Foundation
Autism Science Research Topic Thimerosal
Autism Science Foundation Recommended Reading
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center
Vaccines and Autism: What you should know document
The Immunization
Action Coalition
Autism Resources
Clear Answers & Smart Advice About Your Baby's
Shots document
I have heard a lot of
discussion but few facts about the HPV vaccination. How do I decide if I should
have my daughter or son immunized?
The HPV vaccines prevent infection from the two most common types of Human Papillomavirus (types 16 and 18) that cause cervical cancer in females and from the two most common types of Human Papillomavirus
(types 6 and 11) that cause genital warts in males and
females. 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 or son 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 is 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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