The best way to protect your child from life-threatening diseases is to immunize them. The vaccines are made of weakened or "killed" versions of the disease. When they are injected into the body, the immune system attacks that virus or bacteria. This action then prompts your child's body to produce antibodies and these antibodies will remain active and will be ready to fight the real disease if your child is ever exposed to it.
Not long ago, children in the U.S. would die or become severely handicapped due to "childhood illnesses" such as diptheria, measles, german measles, polio, mumps and meningitis. Today, many of us have not seen or experienced these diseases due to the availabitlity of immunizations.
HBV=Hepatitis B Vaccine. Protects against a viral infection which can lead to liver failure and liver cancer later in life.
DTaP=Protects against Diptheria, Tetanus,
and Pertussis (whooping cough).
Hib=Protects against Haemophilus influenza type B which can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis.
MMR=Protects against Measles, Mumps, and Ruebella (German Measles)
Var=Varicella vaccine. Protects against
Chicken Pox.
*Note:
If your child hasn't had all 3 hepatitis B shots, they should get them between 11 and 16 years.
If your child is 13 or older and has not had chicken pox or the vaccine they will need 2 doses.
