Immunizations
August 2008
Many Americans take immunizations for granted, and all of us want to be sure vaccines are safe. To see just how important immunizations are, check out these numbers:
|
Before immunizations
(Averages) |
Now
(Averages) |
|
Cases per year/Deaths per year |
Cases per year/Deaths per year |
Diphtheria |
21,053 / 1,822 |
0 / 0 |
Measles |
530,217 / 440 |
55 / 0 |
Mumps |
162,344 / 39 |
6,584 / 0 |
Whooping cough |
200,752 / 4,034 |
15,632 / 27 |
Paralytic polio |
16,316 / 1,879 |
0 / 0 |
Tetanus |
580 / 472 |
41 / 4 |
In addition to the shots that protect against the infections listed here, vaccines that protect against major viruses (the flu, hepatitis A and B, chicken pox, German measles, rotavirus) and deadly bacteria (meningococcus, pneumococcus, hemophilus influenza) are also recommended for all children. And in an exciting breakthrough, a vaccine is now available to protect girls and young women from the virus that causes cancer of the cervix and other infections.
As the school year starts, be sure that your children are up-to-date with their immunizations. Talk to your doctor about the timing of immunizations, the benefits, and the possible side effects. And remember that adults should get regular boosters for tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough and annual flu shots; a shingles vaccine is recommended after age 60 and a pneumonia vaccine at age 65.