Back to school means vaccinations by Phyllis MacGilvray, M.D.
There are many vaccine-preventable diseases that may cause serious medical complications and even death. These disease complications are drastically reduced in populations that maintain a high rate of vaccination.
You may have noticed that certain vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, have been on the rise within the U.S. due to the decline in vaccination rates over the past several years. These diseases, as well as the other vaccine-preventable diseases, can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening. In most cases, there is no way to know if an unvaccinated child will develop a mild or severe disease case.
Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases tend to cluster in a given area, and highly contagious diseases, such as measles, will spread quickly among people who are not immune.
Parents often question the safety of vaccinations. The decline in vaccination rates has been attributed to parental fear of childhood autism as a potential result of vaccines. Many rigorous studies have shown there is NO LINK between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or vaccine preservatives, such as thimerosal, and autism.
Additionally, other concerns about the number and timing of childhood vaccines should be discussed with your child’s physician during the well child visit.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention childhood vaccine schedule is designed to provide optimal protection for your child at the earliest possible time against serious diseases.
Visit our health library to learn more about the recommended vaccination schedule or call our UT Health Primary Care office at 210-450-9100 to schedule an appointment for your children at one of our three convenient locations.
