Why do we immunize our children against diseases that aren as prevalent any more?
While the prevalence of life-threatening diseases such as measles and paralytic polio has drastically been reduced thanks to decades of immunization here in the United States, outbreaks of these diseases still occur in both developed and developing countries around the world. Measles still infects more than 20 million people globally, causing death in approximately 2% of infected individuals. In an era of global travel, international adoption, and vaccine skepticism, parents should be aware of the potential risks of declining immunizations for their children. How do immunizations work? Immunizations are made from germs or parts of germs that cause disease. The germs in vaccines are either killed or weakened so they won’t make your child sick. Most vaccines are introduced to your child’s body by injection. The exceptions: rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine; and Flumist® is an intranasal, live-attenuated influenza vaccine. Your child’s body makes antibodies against these vaccine germs
