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If you are a parent, the health and safety of your child is a top priority. Installing a car seat and putting up baby gates around your home can help keep your young one safe on a daily basis. And, one of the best ways to protect your child is to make sure they have ALL of their vaccinations.

Vaccines work by stimulating our immune system to produce antibodies, which are substances produced by the body to fight disease. When a child is vaccinated, a weakened form of the disease germ is introduced into the body, which prompts the body to make antibodies to fight these invaders. Later, if the actual disease germs ever attack the body, the antibodies will return to destroy them.

A vaccine is a safer substitute for a child’s first exposure to a disease. The child gets protection without having to get sick. Through vaccination, children can develop immunity without suffering from the actual diseases that vaccines prevent.

Here are a few key reasons why your child should be vaccinated:

• Immunizations can save your child’s life. Over the years, vaccines have prevented countless cases of disease and saved millions of lives. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. In fact, some diseases have been eliminated completely, thanks in large part to vaccines.
•  Vaccination is very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists and health care professionals. Receiving an immunization shot may cause some discomfort but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as an allergic reaction, are very rare.
• Immunization protects others you care about. While some babies are too young to be protected by vaccination, others may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies or weakened immune systems. To help keep your baby safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized.
• Immunizations can save your family time and money. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be denied attendance at schools or childcare facilities. Some of those diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In contrast, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and most immunizations are usually covered in full by insurance.

With the new school year fast approaching, now is the perfect time to contact your child’s pediatrician to make sure your child is up to date on his or her immunizations and to get any of your vaccine-related questions answered. For information and resources on childhood immunizations, visit healthychildren.org.