Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/parents-want-to-enroll-their-child.-she-is-not-vaccinated.-what-should-you-do/5024955/
Pre-exposure vaccinations for infants and toddlers are the cornerstone of a successful community immunization plan against childhood diseases. Yet, according to the International Rescue Committee, 10 percent (1 out of 10) of young children do not receive the recommended vaccinations during early childhood (Andre, Booy, Bock, Clemens et al., 2008). The U.S. government’s recommended immunization schedule is intended to protect young children against specific diseases early in life, before they come in contact with potentially life-threatening diseases. The 14 diseases of greatest concern are Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B, two types of Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Pertussis, Pneumococcal pneumonia, Polio, Rotovirus, Rubella, Tetanus and Varicella (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2013). When young children are vaccinated against these diseases, they are protected from contracting those diseases from others who might be infected. This also results in a significant degree of protection for the entire community. When most young children in the community receive their vaccinations, this results in a community immunity that is typically referred to as “herd immunity” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017).
What Is Community Immunity?
The germs that can cause young children to contract potentially life-threatening diseases can move quickly through a community and lead to ...