The number of parents who do not vaccinate
their children on time. As of 2015 there was an estimated 10% -15% who did not
follow the recommended schedule for children under 2 years old (2). A study
also showed that one of the parent’s fear is Immune overload. However, vaccines
do not cause an infant’s immune system to overload. While babies are born with
immune systems that are able to fight off germs like those of the vaccine
preventable diseases, infants do come into with thousands of antigens everyday
which is less compared to small amount in vaccines (1). Vaccines are made to
strengthen their immune system and then few antigens inside them actually cause
the body’s immune system in order to create the proper immunological memory in
order to be protected. They are created to ensure they are effective and safe
(1, 3).
Using combination vaccines means that
it decreases the number of injections as well as the number of the discomfort a
child needs to experience during a visit (3). The job of a vaccine is to
prevent the infectious disease that had once killed or harmed many infants,
children, and even adults. If vaccines did not exist today, then children would
still be at risk for these diseases (1). It is important for children to be
vaccinated on time because it helps provide the immunity they need to be
protected from vaccine preventable diseases that could be life threatening (3).
Another reason why it is important to vaccinate on time is because vaccines are
tested to ensure they are safe and effected within the recommended ages (1).
If you choose to wait or skip doses
until you think your child is ready for them then it is important to keep in
mind that if you wait until you think your child is ready, then you risk
exposing them to serious illness before they are vaccinated. Vaccines may take
weeks to help your baby make the antibodies needed in order to fight off
diseases and some vaccines even need multiple doses in order to provide the
best protection (1). However, if you choose not vaccinate at all then your
child is vulnerable to diseases and could potentially catch the disease from
people who asymptomatic or even be a carrier themselves (1).
Resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, August 05). Making the Vaccine Decision: Common Concerns. Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/vaccine-decision.html
- Hickok, K. (2018). Vaccines won’t overload your child’s immune system—or increase their risk of other infections. Science. doi:10.1126/science.aat5104
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Q&A on vaccines. Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://www.who.int/vaccines/questions-and-answers
