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Independence, MO —
Over the past 100 years, what has been the single most significant factor in extending our lives? If you thought, “childhood immunizations,” you were correct. National Infant Immunization Week spotlights the importance of early immunization.
Diseases, vaccines and infants, what do you know? T or F?
1. In the 1950s more than 95 percent of American children developed measles.
2. There are 14 vaccine-preventable diseases for those under age 2.
3. Polio has been eradicated worldwide.
States have requirements for immunization of school-age children. But, what about younger children and infants? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has vaccine schedules for infants and younger children, but if they fall behind they are especially vulnerable to diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough), measles, meningitis and others. For a schedule of recommended vaccines visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm.
Sustained public health efforts to immunize infants have been very successful. The CDC reports that immunization rates for those 2 years or younger are at record highs. The Jackson County Health Department provides vaccines at locations in Kansas City and Independence (313 S. Liberty, 816-404-6415). The federally funded program Vaccines for Children (www.cdc.gov/features/vfcprogram/) provides free vaccines for those unable to afford them. For additional information, contact the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
In the 1950s, nearly every child developed measles, which can leave permanent neurologic impairments or death. Worldwide, 100,000 infants and children die from measles annually. Since the measles vaccine was introduced in the U.S. in 1963, there has been a dramatic decline in cases. In 2011, the CDC confirmed just 200 cases of measles in the U.S. Most U.S. physicians have never seen a case of measles during their careers, unless they have practiced in a Third World country.
With success can come complacency. In 2010, ten infants in California died from complications related to pertussis. This is why the CDC continues its efforts to get the word out about the importance of early immunizations.
The last case of polio in the U.S. was reported in 1979. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of public health institutions, the March of Dimes and the Rotary Foundation, polio is set to be the third disease eradicated by vaccines in history (smallpox in humans and rinderpest in large animals). The number of new cases of polio has declined 99 percent with the last 1 percent in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. My grandmother, born in 1915, would talk about childhood friends who contracted polio and the jubilation in 1954, when the polio vaccine became available. She spoke of iron lungs and the long lines of people waiting to get the vaccine. They knew the horror of polio. Today, most of us do not.
Thanks to vaccines.
Answers: 1. T; 2. T; 3. F
Over the past 100 years, what has been the single most significant factor in extending our lives? If you thought, “childhood immunizations,” you were correct. National Infant Immunization Week spotlights the importance of early immunization.
Diseases, vaccines and infants, what do you know? T or F?
1. In the 1950s more than 95 percent of American children developed measles.
2. There are 14 vaccine-preventable diseases for those under age 2.
3. Polio has been eradicated worldwide.
States have requirements for immunization of school-age children. But, what about younger children and infants? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has vaccine schedules for infants and younger children, but if they fall behind they are especially vulnerable to diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough), measles, meningitis and others. For a schedule of recommended vaccines visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm.
Sustained public health efforts to immunize infants have been very successful. The CDC reports that immunization rates for those 2 years or younger are at record highs. The Jackson County Health Department provides vaccines at locations in Kansas City and Independence (313 S. Liberty, 816-404-6415). The federally funded program Vaccines for Children (www.cdc.gov/features/vfcprogram/) provides free vaccines for those unable to afford them. For additional information, contact the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
In the 1950s, nearly every child developed measles, which can leave permanent neurologic impairments or death. Worldwide, 100,000 infants and children die from measles annually. Since the measles vaccine was introduced in the U.S. in 1963, there has been a dramatic decline in cases. In 2011, the CDC confirmed just 200 cases of measles in the U.S. Most U.S. physicians have never seen a case of measles during their careers, unless they have practiced in a Third World country.
With success can come complacency. In 2010, ten infants in California died from complications related to pertussis. This is why the CDC continues its efforts to get the word out about the importance of early immunizations.
The last case of polio in the U.S. was reported in 1979. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of public health institutions, the March of Dimes and the Rotary Foundation, polio is set to be the third disease eradicated by vaccines in history (smallpox in humans and rinderpest in large animals). The number of new cases of polio has declined 99 percent with the last 1 percent in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. My grandmother, born in 1915, would talk about childhood friends who contracted polio and the jubilation in 1954, when the polio vaccine became available. She spoke of iron lungs and the long lines of people waiting to get the vaccine. They knew the horror of polio. Today, most of us do not.
Thanks to vaccines.
Answers: 1. T; 2. T; 3. F
