What Are the Benefits of Childhood Immunizations?
Immunizations have had a greater impact on reducing death and disability from infectious diseases than almost any other public health intervention. The rates of diphtheria, measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, rubella, tetanus, and invasive Hib disease have all been reduced by 97% or more by immunization. What Are the Charges Leveled Against Immunizations? Some people claim that childhood immunizations are no longer needed because the diseases that they prevent have become uncommon in the U.S. Concerns have also been raised about the possibility that some immunizations may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), autism, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or other disorders. Recent changes in immunization recommendations (i.e., those pertaining to rotavirus vaccine and the use of the vaccine preservative thimerosal) have also prompted some people to question the safety of vaccines. What Are the Facts? Need for immunizations. Although most of the diseases that can be prevented
