It's true, some diseases (like polio and diphtheria) are
becoming very rare in the U.S. Of course, they are becoming rare largely
because we have been vaccinating against them. But it is still
reasonable to ask whether it's really worthwhile to keep vaccinating.
It's much like bailing out a boat with a slow leak. When we
started bailing, the boat was filled with water. But we have been
bailing fast and hard, and now it is almost dry. We could say, "Good.
The boat is dry now, so we can throw away the bucket and relax." But the
leak hasn't stopped. Before long we'd notice a little water seeping in,
and soon it might be back up to the same level as when we started.
Keep immunizing until disease is eliminated.
Unless we can "stop the leak" (eliminate the disease), it is
important to keep immunizing. Even if there are only a few cases of
disease today, if we take away the protection given by vaccination, more
and more people will be infected and will spread disease to others.
Soon we will undo the progress we have made over the years.
Japan reduced pertussis vaccinations, and an epidemic occurred.
In 1974, Japan had a successful pertussis (whooping cough)
vaccination program, with nearly 80% of Japanese children vaccinated.
That year only 393 cases of pertussis were reported in the entire
country, and there were no deaths from pertussis. But then rumors began
to spread that pertussis vaccination was no longer needed and that the
vaccine was not safe, and by 1976 only 10% of infants were getting
vaccinated. In 1979 Japan suffered a major pertussis epidemic, with more
than 13,000 cases of whooping cough and 41 deaths. In 1981 the
government began vaccinating with acellular pertussis vaccine, and the
number of pertussis cases dropped again.
What if we stopped vaccinating?
So what would happen if we stopped vaccinating
here? Diseases that are almost unknown would stage a comeback. Before
long we would see epidemics of diseases that are nearly under control
today. More children would get sick and more would die.
We vaccinate to protect our future.
We don't vaccinate just to protect our children. We also
vaccinate to protect our grandchildren and their grandchildren. With one
disease, smallpox, we "stopped the leak" in the boat by eradicating the
disease. Our children don't have to get smallpox shots any more because
the disease no longer exists. If we keep vaccinating now, 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.
We, at Cypress Pediatrics, accept the scientific evidence behind vaccines. We vaccinate ALL of our children.
Birth Hepatitis B
2 monthsHepatitis B, Dtap-Hib-IPV, Prevnar 13, and Rotavirus
4 monthsDtap-Hib-IPV, Prevnar 13, and Rotavirus
6 monthsDtap-Hib-IPV, Prevnar 13, and Rotavirus, and Influenza (Sept-June)
9 monthsHepatitis B, Influenza (Sept-June)
12 monthsMeasles-Mump-Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis A, Influenza (Sept-June)
15 monthsDtap, IPV
18 monthsPrevnar 13
24 monthsHepatitis A
YearlyInfluenza (Sept- June)
4 year oldMMR, Variciella, Dtap, IPV
9 year oldGardasil (2 doses for series if completed before 14 yo)
11 year oldMenveo, Tdap
16 year oldMenveo, Men B vaccine series (2 doses)