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What Parents Need To Know

When it comes to childhood immunizations, you’re better safe than sorry. Childhood immunizations are the most effective way to prevent your child from becoming ill. Kids who are not immunized at the right times stand a much greater chance of developing an illness that could cause problems such as brain injury, blindness, paralysis or even death.

By the age of 2, children should have 80 percent of their shots and vaccinations. It is especially important for school age children to be up-to-date on their immunizations. As kids enter school and are exposed to more germs, they run a higher risk of becoming ill and missing valuable school days themselves, as well as spreading their illness at home to family members. To have a seriously ill child is any parent’s nightmare, but it’s worse if they realize that the illness could have been prevented.

It’s Not Too Late To Catch Up
If your child is behind on his or her immunizations, you can be certain he or she is protected with a "catch-up" vaccine. At ages 11-12 years, Hepatitis B vaccine should be given to children who were not previously vaccinated, and Varicella Virus vaccine should be administered to unvaccinated children who have not had chickenpox. Consult your physician or health care provider for other "catch-up" immunizations.

Keep A Good Record
Keeping an accurate record of your child’s shots, vaccinations, and other health screenings is very important–it’s the only way you can be sure your child is healthy. To stay in touch with your child’s good health, click on the Children's Health Record link, print the page and save it as part of your child’s health record. Do your part and make sure your children are medically up-to-date.