There are 14 childhood diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. Yet, a growing number of San Diego parents are not vaccinating their children.
The percentage of kindergarteners with a personal belief exemption (PBE) grew from 1.7 percent in 2001 to 3.3 percent in 2011. There are more than 42,000 kindergartners in San Diego County.
April 20-27 is National Infant Immunization Week. The observance was created in 1994 to remind parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure infants are fully immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.
County health officials are encouraging parents to make sure their children get the recommended vaccines.
“Vaccines are the safest and most effective way parents can protect their children against disease,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “Immunizations prevent disease, disability, and in the worst of cases, death.”
Vaccinations help protect local residents from disease. Countywide immunization efforts are an important contribution to the County’s Live Well, San Diego! initiative. Parents should ask their doctor or clinic to check their child’s immunization record and make sure their baby is up-to-date.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends infants get shots at birth, 2, 4, 6, 12-15, and 18 months of age to protect them against many diseases, including measles, meningitis, and whooping cough.
Surveys indicate that vaccination coverage in San Diego County is at a near all-time high. However, about 45,000 babies are born every year and they should be immunized on time to stay healthy.
Babies are not the only ones who should be vaccinated. Parents, older siblings, grandparents, health care professionals, and babysitters also need to be up to date. High immunization coverage levels mean fewer people get sick from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“No child, adolescent, or adult should suffer from a vaccine-preventable disease,” Wooten said. “Immunizations are among the most successful and cost-effective things parents can do to protect their children from serious disease.”
For more information on immunizations and the diseases they prevent, parents should contact their health care provider, visit www.sdiz.org or call the County Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966.
