Childhood vaccinations build the foundation for a healthy life

This article is for our sponsor, WellCare of NC.

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child from harm. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure they are up-to-date on their immunizations. Immunizations have eliminated or greatly reduced many deadly diseases that once caused serious illnesses in children. Vaccines are safe and effective, making them one of the most important things you can do for your child's health.

Still, some parents are often hesitant to get vaccinations. "When parents are hesitant to get their children vaccinated, I would recommend they go to trusted sources like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics to learn more about how vaccines affect children. The benefits of vaccines include getting rid of and completely eradicating diseases, which we are seeing slowly start to come back in small numbers because of vaccine hesitancy," said Michelle Minton, Director of Quality at WellCare of NC.

Most vaccines are given during well-child check-ups, which are an important part of your child's health care. These check-ups help to ensure that your child is reaching developmental milestones and that they are up-to-date on their immunizations. "It is recommended that children have at least six well-child visits in their first two years of life. These check-ups are important because they give your child's healthcare provider a chance to monitor their growth and development and to catch any problems early. They also allow you to ask any questions you may have about your child's health," said Minton.

By the time your child is 18 months old, they should be vaccinated against illnesses like Hepatitis A and B, chickenpox, Rotavirus, Polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, among other diseases. These illnesses can cause liver damage, affect breathing and the brain, affect the nervous system, cause vomiting, and other serious symptoms. It’s in every child’s best interest to be fully vaccinated, not just for themselves but for people they come in contact with as they get older.

"One of the first things new parents should do is establish primary care with a provider. We recommend a provider they feel they can trust, build a relationship with, and that they feel comfortable talking to," said Minton. "And if there is a language barrier, it's good to find a provider that either utilizes a translation service or is bilingual themselves; that is always helpful with establishing that relationship," added Minton. It’s typically recommended that a child has at least six visits with their primary care provider before they reach the age of 2, during which they will receive vaccinations based on the doctor’s recommendations. Some doctors may have slightly different schedules, but most vaccinations are given to children in the same order.

Additionally, immunizations are required for school-age children to protect them from disease. "When children are in school, they are around a lot of other kids and are exposed to many different diseases. This is why it's so important for them to be up-to-date on their vaccines. Vaccines help to protect children from serious and sometimes deadly diseases," said Minton.

Don’t forget–adults need vaccines, too! Adults should also stay up-to-date on their vaccines to protect themselves, which could include a tetanus booster, annual flu shot, or other vaccines to keep them healthy. Vaccines are also important for protecting those around you, especially if you are in close contact with people at high risk for serious illness, such as young children or the elderly.

"It is really important for the rest of the population to be up to date with their vaccines because there are some who are vulnerable in ways like allergies or some sort of religious exemption. By having this vaccination of the herd, we can better protect these individuals from diseases who can not get the vaccine," said Minton. By getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself from disease but also helping to protect those around you. Vaccines are safe and effective and one of the most important things you can do for your health.

This article is for our sponsor, WellCare of NC.