Childhood Immunizations - Essay Example

Childhood Immunizations Childhood immunizations is a topic of great debate these days as many parents are opting out of getting their children vaccinated due to fears that their children might become susceptible to lethal symptoms. In the medical world it is believed that newborn children are more susceptible to diseases which are otherwise uncommon in adults because of their enhanced immunity and this is the primary reason that children are advised to be immunized against certain common diseases.

Vaccines have been developed with special care such that the bacteria which causes the disease is killed and injected into the body of the child so that the body is prepared for that kind of bacteria which is alive. A common question which every parent asks a health professional is as to why vaccines of specific diseases are given to children and not all the related diseases. An answer to this question is that these specific diseases are the ones that commonly affect the children at a tender age (Dr Amy Harms 2011; CDC 2010).

According to the guidelines to parents from Centre of Disease Control and Prevention common diseases such as diphtheria, Hepatitis, Measles, Polio, Rubella, Tetanus, Flu etc are affecting a large population of children. Hence to avoid any situation which may cause these diseases in the children is to be tackled beforehand and this can only be done if childhood immunization programs are established. Some of the diseases mentioned above can affect the whole life of a child if it enters the body of the child.

It is for this reason that the children are provided with the dead bacteria in their body so that specific white blood cells can be produced in their body. Moreover the vaccines given to children have to be followed according to a specific procedure. Every vaccine given to a child has its own program and has to be injected in accordance to some rules. Some are injected when a child is born whereas some are injected when a child reaches a certain age (CDC 2010; Dr Amy Harms 2011). It has been found by health professionals that vaccines are 90 to 99 percent effective in tackling a certain disease.

Vaccines have certain side effects but these side effects can only help to build up a better immunity in the child. Common side effects seen in children injected with vaccines are common cold viruses including flu. Vaccines produced are approved by an international body which ensures that all vaccines are safe enough to be used in childhood immunization programs. Moreover with these immunization programs the incidence of certain diseases has been decreased to an excellent rate. These immunization programs ensure that children do not get lethal diseases which may affect their lives and these should be promoted by the government.

It is seen that childhood immunization programs are being used worldwide to ensure a safe and sound environment for the upcoming generation (Dr Amy Harms 2011). References Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Parents Guide 2010. Ask a Doctor: Vaccines protect kids from diseases. Dr Amy Harms 2011. HTR News.