Why should I immunize my child, arent most childhood diseases very rare now?
It is true that many childhood illnesses occur infrequently or even very rarely these days. Disease such as polio and smallpox are nearly unheard of in the United States due to the success of childhood immunization. Other childhood illnesses, such as pertussis, chickenpox, and measles still exist in the population. While we may consider these diseases to be minor in severity, they are capable of causing long-term disability and even death. Maintaining a high immunization rate provides protection for ourselves, and others that may be too young or too sick to be immunized.
