Don't stop believing in vaccinations

At his 6-month well-baby visit, my son received all of his routine vaccinations except for the H. influenzae, type b (Hib) vaccine because of a delay in shipment. I was told to return the following week for the shot. Yes, I brought him back, but I wonder how many children end up missing their doses because of this little inconvenience? Even worse, how many children never even received their first doses because of misinformed caregivers? Vaccines do not only protect those who receive them, but they also help "create a 'herd immunity' a wall of immunized people that prevents spread of disease, so children who are vulnerable — those too young to be vaccinated or who can't be because of immune disorders or other medical problems — are protected." Since the introduction of the Hib vaccine, the number of infections in the U.S. caused by this bacteria has decreased by 99%. Unfortunately, Hib is making a comeback, and it is not a pretty disease. It can cause meningitis (majority of cases), pneumonia, sepsis, epiglottitis (a severe throat infection), skin infections, and arthritis. Children have also died from these invasive bacterial infections.

Protect your children and others; vaccinate your children.