The vaccination of children is currently a very hot topic online, with anti-vaxers (the label given to people who choose not to have themselves or their children vaccinated) making bold claims around the risks of vaccinations.

Luckily for us, we don’t have to believe everything we hear online – we now have access to scientific evidence that can help parents in making the right choices for their families. When it comes to vaccinations, the research is very clear and it shows that you should vaccinate your kids. If you are still not sure which side of the fence you are falling on, we’ve made it simple for you to make up your mind.

Our guide of questions and answers will explain exactly why vaccinations are not only the right choice for your family, but for those around you too.

How Successful Are Vaccinations In Preventing Disease?

With every passing year, more vaccinations are created that could prevent your child from falling ill with potentially life-threatening illness. In some instances, science has been able to completely eradicate certain illnesses completely – something that was achieved through vaccinations.

Polio is one of those illnesses that were particularly terrifying in the US just a handful of decades ago, causing death and paralysis across large sections of the population. Across the globe, there were 350,000 cases in 1988 and only 33 in 2018 (with no cases being identified in the US today).

Which Vaccinations Are Recommended For Children?

The specific type of vaccinations your child requires will largely depend on where they are living and which diseases they are more likely to contract.

Within the US, children are recommended to have the following vaccinations; chickenpox, HepA, HepB, Diptheria, tetanus and pertussis, Hib, influenza, HPV, meningococcal, pneumococcal, polio and rotavirus. Keep in mind that these will all be given to children at different stages in their lives. It’s important that you speak to your doctor about when you need to book your child in for their vaccines.

Vaccinate Your kids is Safe?

One of the most important questions any parent will ask when it comes to vaccinations is whether they are safe for children. Vaccinations go through care review processes by doctors and other healthcare professionals in order to ensure that they are safe for children.

Vaccinations might require that a child is injected, which can cause some pain, but these experiences are nothing compared to the potential harm (and even death) caused by the illnesses they protect against. In some instances, a vaccination could have a more serious side effect, such as an allergy, but your doctor should discuss the risks – and how they will help you to manage them – before administering the vaccination.

What Is Heard Immunity?

You might have heard the term “heard immunity” spoken when it comes to vaccination debates and it’s important to understand this concept if you’re going to be aware of how vaccinations not only protect your child, but other vulnerable populations.

To understand this, you need to remember that babies, for example, are too young to be vaccinated and so they rely on the people around them to be vaccinated so that they don’t pass on dangerous diseases. If your children are not vaccinated, there is a possibility for them to contract dangerous diseases, such as polio, and then pass this onto children who are too young to be vaccinated. This goes the same for you bringing your baby, for example, into contact with someone who hasn’t been vaccinated.

How Can Vaccinations Save You Money In The Long Term?

As a parent supporting a child with a preventable, yet severe disease, you could end up having to take a lot of time off work, paying medical costs and then supporting a child who could potentially have a life-long disability afterwards.

By vaccinating your child now, you could end up preventing this and save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

How Much Do Vaccinations Cost?

If you’re concerned about the cost of vaccinations, you simply need to seek out the variety of programs that have been put in place to support low income families.

The CDC has put a program in place called Vaccines for Children and this offers children within these families their required vaccinations at no cost at all. In other instances where families can afford medical insurance, the vaccinations are generally covered under these policies.

Why are People Getting Measles Again?

Measles were nearly completely eradicated from the US – as in, it nearly died out completely – but due to the anti-vax movement, cases have begun to reappear throughout the United States.

Because of this, it’s important that people make themselves aware of the symptoms so that they do not put themselves (or their children) in unnecessary risk by coming into contact with people who have the disease.

Symptoms include cough, high fever, red eyes and runny nose, followed by a rash that will spread from the head before moving to the rest of the body. Remember that the disease can spread four days before and after the rash appears. Make sure that you tell your doctor your symptoms before visiting their office so that they can put measures in place to prevent you spreading the disease to others.

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

One of the main concerns that people have when it comes to vaccines is the rumor they heard that vaccines cause Autism, but there is no scientific basis for this.

Numerous studies have been conducted throughout the years and none of them have identified a link between vaccinations and autism. The original study that “found” a link to the MMR vaccine and autism was discredited for their poor scientific methodology and the individual who published the study was actually struck off the scientific register.