“Immunizations can save your child’s life,” said Michael A. Meddis, Public Health Coordinator for the Monmouth County Health Department. “Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before.  Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction-primarily due to safe and effective vaccines.”

An example of the great impact that vaccines can have is the elimination of polio in the United States.  Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the county, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States.

“Children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Meddis. “We have seen resurgences of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) over the past few years.”

One example of the seriousness of vaccine-preventable diseases is an increase in measles cases or outbreaks that were reported in 2013. Data from 2013 showed a higher than normal number of measles cases nationally and in individual states, including an outbreak of 58 cases in New York City that was the largest reported outbreak of measles in the U.S. since 1996.

“Unfortunately, some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated and some people may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons,” said Meddis. “To help keep children safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This protects your family and helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.”

Vaccination is very safe and effective.  Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals.

Serious side effects following vaccination such as severe allergic reaction are very rare.  The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Immunizations can save your family time and money. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care.

In contrast, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance.  Under the Affordable Care Act, the new health care law, many insurers are required to cover certain preventive services at no cost to you, including vaccines for children from birth to age 18 years.  Additionally, the “Vaccine for Children’s” (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children from low income families. 

To find out more about the VFC program or vaccines in general, call the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456.