Most people under the age of 50 have no experience with the diseases we vaccinate our children for. They’ve received the MMR vaccination. Our children didn’t miss two weeks of school because they had a fever and swollen neck from mumps. Or another two weeks from the itchy rash of measles or rubella (German measles). Or varicella (chicken pox).
There are others that I didn’t get the opportunity to experience. Diphtheria, a life-threatening bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is another respiratory infection. Tetanus, or lockjaw, a deadly bacterium that affects the nervous system, causing muscle spasms and stiffness, especially in the neck and jaw. Since the 1940’s children have been getting a Dtap (TDaP) vaccination for those.
Vaccines are one of the best ways we can protect ourselves and our children from terrible diseases. Before a vaccine is approved, it is tested in large, carefully managed trials over several years, and it continues to be monitored for as long as it is in use.
The diseases vaccines prevent have few effective treatments, even in this day of great medical advances. Children who are unvaccinated are not protected against the suffering, complications, and possible long-term disability, even death, that may occur. These are vaccine-preventable diseases!
Take a look at the Panhandle Public Health District website, pphd.org. Click on the tab that says Immunizations. There are descriptions of several diseases–ones that can be vaccinated against. You’ll find information about the immunizations, or vaccines, that are recommended for both children and adults, as well as those we should get when we plan to travel to other nations. PPHD lists the vaccines, the trade names, and the schedule of when they should be received. Call them at 308-633-2866 if you have any questions.
Typically childhood vaccines are given in the family doctor’s office. They may be given at public health clinics like the one PPHD runs in Scottsbluff. Adult vaccines are usually given by a pharmacist. Most are covered by insurance.
Not sure if you’ve received a vaccine, or if it’s time for a booster? You can check online at NESIIS, the Nebraska State Immunization Information System. Immunization records are stored in a secure system. Health care providers can access the information to determine which, if any, immunizations are needed at any given time. Complete and up-to-date immunization records can be printed for schools, daycares, or whenever you need them.
Why do we have NESIIS? People receive immunizations from several different locations: doctor’s offices, public clinics, schools, hospitals, local health departments. It can be difficult to keep those records straight, and that was causing immunizations to be skipped or repeated. When we asked our pharmacist whether we needed to update anything, he was able to check in a few seconds, then tell us dates when we will need to return.
Adults like grandparents who will be around newborn babies often spread diseases to those infants. They are encouraged to check whether they need boosters, and boosters are often recommended every ten years.
Some people don’t want to get vaccines because they believe there are serious side effects. The NESIIS website shares this, “Most vaccines cause only minor side effects, such as soreness where the shot was given or a slight fever. These side effects do not last long and are treatable. Serious reactions are very rare. Remember, if your child gets a disease that could have been prevented with a vaccine, the risks of the disease are much greater than the risk of a vaccine reaction. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns.”
Research on viruses and bacteria have allowed us to develop protections for diseases that plague humans. Vaccines like smallpox have been around for two hundred years. Others are developed over time to treat new diseases. Vaccines save lives!