*This post is sponsored by Familydoctor.org, but as always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Sincerely Onyi*
As I reflect on the past year, I think of how incredibly blessed I am to be able to spend another summer with my family. As some of you may already know, my two young sons and I contracted the COVID-19 virus last fall. Fast forward to this year, and we’re continuing to keep our family’s health a priority by incorporating wellness-centered behaviors into our lifestyle like frequent walks together, healthier meals and snacks, and practicing mindfulness.
Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the future of our family’s health, particularly because my husband and I are taking measures to remain mutually accountable with our physical and dietary decisions. We also make sure to keep our routine appointments with our family doctor to ensure that we’re up-to-date on our immunization schedules. This includes for our sons, as we are mindful of how important it is to keep our kids protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a sharp decline in routine vaccinations across the nation. Notably, the drop in vaccines has been across all ages, with a large decline amongst children over 24 months of age. Due to the decline in vaccination rates, medical experts project that there could be an increased risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, such as the measles and mumps.
As parents, we strive to protect and provide our children with the best opportunities and resources available. For my husband and I, that also includes the health care that they receive. I’m certain that many of you share the same sentiments, which is why I wanted to share some information about the importance of keeping your children up-to-date and/or getting them caught up on their vaccines. Here are 5 things to know about childhood vaccines:
1. Vaccines help provide immunity before kids are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
2. Vaccines are safe.
The United States has an extensive approval process in place to ensure the safety of all licensed vaccines. The potential side effects of vaccines are normal and usually mild, though less severe compared to the diseases they are meant to prevent.
3. Vaccine-preventable diseases are expensive.
Not only do diseases have a major impact on the physical health of your loved ones, they can also create a great financial burden. With rising health care costs, it is more favorable to prevent illnesses that could otherwise result in huge medical expenses or the loss of income from leaving work to take care of a sick child.
4. Not only do vaccinations create the strongest immunity for kids, staying up to date on vaccines also protects people in our community who may not be able to get vaccinated.
5. There are many credible resources available to help you make informed decisions.
Familydoctor.org/vaccines answers a lot of great questions. Your family doctor can also help you understand the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, vaccine schedules, what vaccines are recommended for your kid and how to catch up.
Help build a community of immunity. Talk to your family physician or visit familydoctor.org/vaccines to learn more about recommended childhood vaccines. Visit the following resources for more information:
- More about building a Community of Immunity
- Childhood Vaccines: What They Are and Why Your Child Needs Them
- Immunization Schedules
About FamilyDoctor.org
Familydoctor.org is an award-winning website featuring trusted medical advice for people of all ages. The content is physician-reviewed and provides consumer/patient education on topics such as family health, prevention and wellness, diseases and conditions, and health resources.
Familydoctor.org is powered by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the AAFP Foundation.
