While infants are protected from certain diseases at birth because of antibodies passed on from the mother, this protection is only temporary. Immunization from these diseases can be achieved through vaccination shots, which use small amounts of killed or weakened microorganisms to trigger an immune response. This helps our immune system to develop antibodies-much as it would if it was fighting off the true disease. Immunizations will protect the patient from specific illnesses long term.
Many diseases that could cause serious illness and even death are rare today because of routine immunizations. Diseases such as polio, measles and pertussis infected thousands of people every year, leaving some of the stricken permanently disabled and killing others. When you immunize, you greatly reduce or eliminate your chance of developing that specific disease.
Some of the vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:
- Hepatitis A and B, which protect against these potentially serious liver diseases
- Pneumococcal and Hib vaccine, to protect against pneumonia, meningitis and certain blood infections
- Tetanus, usually in the form of DTaP or Tdap, to protect against this disease that causes pain and muscle stiffness and can be fatal
- Influenza, to protect against developing the flu, must be given annually to vaccinate for the specific strains that are circulating each year
Evening flu clinics are offered at each office in the fall. Also note that pertussis and flu vaccines are available for parents of newborns.
