As summer approaches, pediatricians are emphasizing the importance of including childhood vaccinations in your seasonal checklist. Childhood vaccines are a powerful tool to protect children’s health and prevent serious diseases like measles and polio.
Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, a board-certified pediatrician, stresses that vaccines work before there is even a danger. “As families travel or gather in larger groups, kids are exposed to more people and germs,” she explains. “Being vaccinated keeps your child protected and helps prevent outbreaks in the community.”
The CDC schedule is the best guide for vaccine schedules, with each shot timed to protect children when they’re most vulnerable. Most side effects are mild, such as low-grade fever or sore arm, but it’s better to ask questions than stay silent with worry.
Despite common myths about vaccines and autism, research shows no connection between MMR vaccination and autism. Dr. Johnson encourages parents to seek clear, honest information, not shame or judgment.
Vaccinating your child also helps protect others who can’t get vaccinated due to age or medical conditions. By creating a buffer around them, we can create community immunity and herd immunity.
Advance Community Health offers one-on-one visits with pediatricians, educational materials in multiple languages, reminders and follow-ups, affordable care, and a relationship-first approach to pediatric care. The organization emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and evidence-based vaccine policies.
Source: https://www.wral.com/sponsored/advance-community-health/protect-your-family-s-health-this-summer-with-routine-immunizations