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What Are the Reasons to Vaccinate My Baby?

Protecting your child’s health is very important to you. Giving your baby all the recommended vaccines by age two is the best way to protect her from 14 serious childhood diseases. Choose immunization; it’s the powerful defense that’s safe, proven, and effective.

Raising a child means you’d do anything to help them grow up healthy and safe. You watch them as they explore new places and baby proof your home against potential hazards. But, what about the hazards you can’t see that can cause serious illness, disability, or even death in young children? Immunization gives you the power to protect your baby from 14 serious childhood diseases. No matter what parenting challenges come your way, there are many reasons to vaccinate.

Serious Diseases Are Still Out There

Vaccines are one of the top public health achievements because they have reduced or even eliminated many diseases. Thanks to vaccines, most young parents have never seen the devastating effects diseases like polio, measles, or whooping cough (pertussis) can have on a child, family, or community. It’s easy to think these are diseases of the past, but they still exist. Children in the United States can—and do—still get some of these diseases. In fact, when vaccination rates are low in a community, it’s not uncommon to have an outbreak.

Make Vaccines More Comfortable for Your Child

Your child’s health is important and our providers are part of your health care team and are here to answer your questions. Staying on schedule with childhood immunizations is important to keep your child healthy. Office visits that include immunizations don’t have to be scary. With a few easy steps, you and your child can be relaxed and prepared.

• Read any materials your provider gave you at your last visit and prepare a list of questions.
• Keep track which immunizations your child will need using this chart from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Pack a favorite toy, book or a blanket that your child uses regularly to comfort your child.

After your child receives his or her immunizations you’ll receive a vaccination information statement from your provider. If you need an additional copy, would like more information on other vaccinations or need the information provided in an alternate language visit the CDC website.

Vaccine Information Statements

Trusted Information

Doing research to keep you and your child healthy is important, finding a trusted, accurate source is also important.

Centers for Disease Control

Immunization Action Coalition 

If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of keeping your child’s immunizations up to date, check out our blog.