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Importance of Immunizations for Babies
by Teresa Shaw

There are many reasons why it’s important for parents to immunize their babies. While some diseases are becoming rare in the United States, this is largely due to the fact that we have been vaccinating against them. Until the diseases are stopped completely, it’s important to continue to vaccinate. In fact, if we take away the protection that vaccination provides, more and more people will become infected and spread the disease to others, undoing the progress that has been made over the years.

Vaccinations aren’t just to protect our children; they help to protect future generations. With one disease – smallpox – this country was able to eradicating the disease. Smallpox shots are no longer required because the disease no longer exists. If we continue to vaccinate, parents in the future may be able to trust that diseases like polio and meningitis won't infect, cripple, or kill children. Vaccinations are one of the best ways to put an end to the serious effects of certain diseases.

Following is the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s childhood immunization schedule for children aged 0-2 years. Always check with your pediatrician for the latest immunization schedule or for questions about your child’s health.

Any dose not administered at the recommended age should be administered at any subsequent visit. Additional vaccines may be licensed and recommended during the year.

See the latest immunization chart with recommendations from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) from December 2007 for ages birth to 6 years old.