To Immunize or Not to Immunize - Part 2

As I mentioned yesterday, our entire family gets regular immunizations.  I should also mention that, without us even asking, our extended families and our child care provider have also been receiving annual flu shots and other vaccine boosters before they come into contact with our children.  Everyone knows what illness can lead to for LB and the stress that a hospitalization can place on our family.  We sincerely appreciate their decision to protect our family by immunizing themselves.  This is the concept of "herd immunity" -- protecting the weakest members of a community by immunizing those with whom they come into contact.  It is how vaccination works!  

This graphic from the Centers for Disease Control helps put into perspective the risks of NOT vaccinating your child.  Not only could your child get sick, they could also put those around them at risk.  Those around them could possibly include children or adults who cannot be immunized for authentic, medical reasons and who rely on herd immunity to keep them safe.

While all families will choose what is best for them, I urge parents to 1) consult trusted, peer-reviewed resources about vaccinations and 2) talk to your pediatrician about vaccinations before making a decision.