More than 50 years of experience with vaccines has shown they are a safe and effective way to save lives. Make sure you and your loved ones are up-to-date on your vaccinations.
Do I really need to?
The first 19 weeks of 2011 saw a record number of measles cases in the U.S.
A 2010 whooping cough outbreak in California took the lives of 10 infants.
The viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases still exist and can be passed on to people who are not protected by vaccines.
Getting vaccinations at the right time not only protects the person getting vaccinated, but also everyone around that person.
Here are more statistics on vaccinations.
- 55% of pertussis (whooping cough) cases in infants could be traced back to one source—their parents. Adults in close contact with infants need updated vaccinations!
- More than 6,500 cases of measles were reported in Europe between January and mid-April of this year. The World Health Organization says "…measles outbreaks will likely continue as long as there are people who have not been immunized or were not immunized on time, according to the routine immunization schedule."
- 1 in 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the complication that is most often the cause of death in young children. of the time, a child who is vaccinated may not develop immunity for the disease. That’s why it’s so important for everyone in a community to get vaccinated—to help protect people whose immune systems are more fragile.
- More than 90% of people who are not immune to measles will get measles if they are exposed to the virus.
- 1%-5% of the time, a child who is vaccinated may not develop immunity for the disease. That’s why it’s so important for everyone in a community to get vaccinated—to help protect people whose immune systems are more fragile.
- In the 1920s diphtheria was a major cause of illness and death for U.S. children. In 1921, 206,000 cases and 15,520 deaths were reported. In 2001, only two cases were reported. The diphtheria vaccine was introduced in 1923.
- 60 years or older? Consider the zoster (shingles) vaccine. Shingles affects at least 1 million people each year, most often older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
- Every 10 years get a tetanus booster shot to stay protected. If you’ve never had a tetanus shot, you must start with a three-dose series.
Parents, get answers to 7 common immunization questions.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
