Vaccines: A Safe And Simple Way To Keep Healthy (NAPS)—Imagine a world without vaccines. Before vaccination, as many as 20,000 Ameri- eans-——-mostly children-—became paralyzed from polic. There were 50,000 cases and more than 5,000 deaths annually frompertussis (whooping cough). German measles affected thousands of people and caused infants to be born deaf, blind and mentally retarded. Today, because of safe and effective vaccines, this is no longer the case. In fact, vaccination Vaccinations are important for against polio has virtually elimi- both children and adults to halt the spread of disease, that fewer than 7,600 cases are national health.” Childhood immunizations in the United States have increased significantly during the past decade to near record high levels. Despite this, people may be misinformed about the safety of vaccines. “Vaccines are safe,” says Dr. Schaffner. “Most side effects are nated the disease from the entire Western Hemisphere, which includes North and South America. Whooping cough vaccine has dramatically reduced the disease sa reported annually. Vaccine for German measles has reduced the nusaber of infected infants to fewer than five cases annually. “Vaccines have helped to elirainate an enormous burden of dis- minor, such as tenderness where and chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine the shot was given, headaches or drowsiness or a mild fever. The chances of having a more serious er harrnful reaction to a vaccine are small compared to the potential consequences you or your child face if not vaccinated.” tion truly demonstrates the benefit of modern medicine and is one of the greatest triumphs in are carefully tested to prove their safety and effectiveness. Even after vaccines are approved by the ease from cur society, preventing infections and saving lives,” says William Schaffner, M.D., professor in Nashville, Tennessee. “Vaccina- Vaccines, like all medications, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they continue to be carefully scrutinized and monitored for safety by the federal government and medical community, including physicians and nurses, scientists and researchers, as well as hospital personnel and public health officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for children and adults. Childhood vaccinations are listed in the routine childhood vaccination schedule on the Web site for the American Academyof Pediatrics. Vaccines can protect adults frominfectious diseases such as influenza, hepatitis and pneumococeal disease. Infectious disease not only impacts an individual, but also pats the health of others at risk. Parents and family members need to protect themselves against disease, but also consider the added benefit te the communityat large by preventing the spreadof disease to others. For more information about vaccination and safety, speak to your physician and/or public health department, and visit the CDC Web site at www.cde.zov, the American Academyof Pediatrics at www.aap.org and the National Net- work for Immunization Inferma- tion at www.immiunizationinio.org.
