Immunize
for Life
Article by Immunization Program
Division of the San Antonio
Metropolitan Health District
Many parents protect their newborn babies from the elements by making sure their head is covered on a cool
day, protect them from danger by securing them in a child safety seat, protect them from harm by keeping
dangerous items out of reach. Why not protect them from disease by making sure they receive the proper
immunizations on time, every time?
That little bundle of joy you brought home from the hospital is highly
vulnerable to diseases because his or her immune system has not
yet fully developed. At birth, infants have some protection against
certain diseases because antibodies have passed through the placenta
from the mother to the unborn child. After birth, breastfed
babies get the continued benefits of additional antibodies in breast
milk. But in both cases, the protection is limited and only temporary.
Give children the lifelong protection they deserve from diseases
that still exist in this country. The San Antonio Metropolitan Health
District strongly advises parents to schedule immunizations to protect
children against:
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus (Lockjaw)
• Pertussis (Whooping cough)
• Polio
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella (German measles)
• Haemophilus Influenzae
• Hepatitis B Type B (Hib)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Pneumococcal diseases
• Hepatitis A
• Rotavirus
• Influenza
Vaccines developed to fight these diseases have saved millions
of lives over the years and prevented hundreds of millions of cases
of diseases.
Don’t let your child fall behind
Imagine a young child’s excitement at preparing to go back to school
in the fall. They may have a new backpack, clothes and school supplies
and are eagerly awaiting meeting their new teacher and making friends.
Then, imagine that same enthusiastic child filled with anxiety over having
to visit a doctor’s office or local clinic.
Going back to school can be a painful experience for children
whose parents have not kept their immunizations up to date. Instead
of receiving one shot or maybe two, these children oftentimes go
through a series of shots because the immunizations are required to
return to school, and now they have to get them all at once. Don’t let
your child lag behind. Get their immunizations on time, especially the
fourth dose of DTaP, which often goes overlooked and should be
administered between the age of 15 to 18 months.
Protection for teens
Your child has finally reached the age where they’re not constantly
placing their hands in their mouths, have developed decent
hygiene skills, and their immune system is fairly strong. Breathe a
sigh of relief, but don’t let your protective parenting guard down yet.
Between the ages of 11 and 19, young people need vaccinations to
prevent against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B,
hepatitis A, chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, and human
Papillomavirus.
A lifelong, life-protecting job
According to the CDC, the number of adult deaths from vaccine preventable
diseases is towering above 30,000 each year. Some
adults think immunizations are just for kids or are unaware of adult
vaccines. Adults should protect themselves, their families and others
they come into contact with by getting vaccinated against influenza
and Tetanus Diphtheria. Remember, immunize for life!
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