Why Are Vaccines Important?

Vaccines are important for the health of young school-aged children. At Nova Pediatrics and Young Adult Medicine in Woodbridge and Springfield, VA, pediatricians work with parents to help them keep up with their child's vaccination schedule.

Immunizations are important because children under age 12 have a vulnerable immune system. Vaccines are made of weakened or dead bacteria or viruses that, when introduced into a child's body, teaches the immune system produce the proper antibodies to fight disease. Another reason vaccinations are so important for children is because of their poor hygienic habits. Children don't clean their hands properly, for example, and this makes it easy for illnesses to spread from one child to another, especially at school or at their daycare center. If your child is vaccinated, this will give their body a fighting chance to ward off bacteria and viruses making their way around school.

When considering your child's health, you must also consider the health of the people around them. Vaccines not only protect children, but they also protect people who can't get vaccinated or who have weakened immune systems, like pregnant women. Vaccines are also crucial because they are a cost-effective solution preventative measure. What does that mean? It's better to have your child vaccinated early on, rather than have to take your child to constant hospital visits in the future.

The Center for Disease and Prevention recommends children get their first hepatitis B vaccine at birth and follow a suggested schedule until the child turns 18 years old. You don't need to worry about keeping up with vaccines because your Woodbridge and Springfield, VA, pediatrician can help you stay on top of things.

Some examples of vaccinations your pediatrician will likely provide are the following:

- influenza
- measles
- meningitis
- hepatitis B
- rotavirus
- tetanus
- human papillomavirus

Vaccinations are extremely important for your child and family. Here is a link to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended schedule. If you need to schedule your child's next vaccination, don't hesitate to call Nova Pediatrics and Young Adult Medicine at their Springfield, VA, office at (703) 451-3333, or Woodbridge, VA, office at (703) 491-2141 to schedule an appointment!