Keeping Childhood Immunizations on Schedule: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
June 24, 2024 | Tags:
Childhood immunizations are a crucial part of healthcare, offering benefits to both the child and the community. Dr. Vicki Brown, Assistant Medical Director at Medical Mutual, explains that vaccines protect children from severe illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis by equipping their immune systems to combat specific germs.
In addition to protecting the child, communities benefit from immunizations through the concept of herd immunity. When most or all of a group is protected from illness by vaccines, the spread of viruses and bacteria is reduced. This significantly lowers the overall risk of illness. “This is why diseases like measles, chickenpox and polio are now more commonly found in history books than in doctors’ offices,” Dr. Brown said.
A comprehensive list of immunizations for children and adolescents is provided below. A complete list is available on the CDC’s website or by consulting your physician’s office. A child’s immunization history can be tracked through various methods, including electronic medical records or printouts.
If a parent is not sure if they want to have their child immunized, Dr. Brown encourages them to research the subject further and ask questions of medical professionals.
“I promise my families that our conversation about immunizations is ongoing,” Dr. Brown said. “Physician groups such as the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics have been clear that patients who are not being immunized on the decision of their parents should not be dismissed from their physicians’ care.”
Talk with your child’s primary care provider (PCP) about their immunization schedule. For help finding a provider, use the search tool at MedMutual.com/FindAProvider or call the Customer Care phone number listed on your member ID card.
