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Vaccine Information

“Vaccines are safe, effective and essential to the health and well being of our children, and our community.”

- University Pediatric Association

Prior to the development of vaccines against childhood diseases, pediatricians were viewed primarily as infectious disease specialists. Anyone over the age of sixty is likely to remember losing a friend, family member or classmate to a childhood disease. Now, when parents become complacent about vaccinating their children, a resurgence of these diseases becomes a distinct possibility. Although some of the diseases that now have vaccines available are treatable, many still result in life long disabilities or even death, for children who contract them. 

 

UPA strongly supports adhering to vaccination guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Vaccines are not only essential for the health of individual children; they are also an essential public safety tool, used to help maintain a healthy community. Diseases such as measles, mumps, small pox, pertussis, diphtheria and polio still pose a serious threat to unvaccinated children. And because not all children develop immunities to diseases for which they are vaccinated, an unvaccinated child can pose a threat to classmates who have been vaccinated. 

 

Unsubstantiated claims linking vaccines to autism and other genetic disorders have been dispelled scientifically, but like many rumors born of junk science, once they start, they are hard to stop. Parents with concerns about vaccines should first talk to their pediatrician. Before your next appointment, use the links below to learn more about the issues surrounding immunizations.

 

Helpful Links