April 24-30th is National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), which highlights the importance of protecting infants and young children from vaccine-preventable diseases. The CDC and our friends over at iVaccinate.org make it a priority each year during this time, to focus on making certain families stay on track with their children’s well-child visits to the doctor and routinely recommended vaccinations.

Ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of family’s routines have been changed indefinitely out of precaution for everyone’s health or immune system concerns or unintentionally disrupted. In many cases, it has meant that children have missed or have delayed their wellness checkups, which can also cause delays in their vaccination schedule. Having infants and school aged children, it is so important that we stay on top of their required vaccines, not only for the health and safety of our own children, but also for the children they come in contact with on a daily basis. Keeping our children on schedule for those annual doctor visits is a critical part of ensuring they stay healthy. The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations. 

I understand all too well having anxiety about trying to schedule my children’s doctor visits, when for the longest time, it was nearly impossible to get an in-person appointment. But now having an infant and a child on the way to kindergarten, it is crucial that I stay on top of their well visits to prevent any future hospital stays for them both. Ensuring that they have all the required vaccinations needed for school is very important to me as a parent. Like most parents, I choose the safe, proven protection of vaccines to protect my children. Making sure my infant son has the recommended vaccinations by age two is the best way to keep him protected from serious childhood diseases, like whooping cough (pertussis) and measles. I did the same thing with my daughter, and I want to be sure they both have a fighting chance against some of the serious childhood illnesses. I’ve had my fair share of hospital visits and would like to avoid them by any means necessary.

There are a few key points I’d like to make sure all parents keep in mind when deciding whether or not vaccines make sense for your children:  

• Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. Vaccines help protect both individuals and communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
• Vaccination is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare professionals, and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community.
• Vaccines are safe. The U.S. has a long-standing vaccine safety system that ensures vaccines are as safe as possible. As new information and science become available, vaccine recommendations are monitored, updated, and improved.

Doctors and medical health professionals agree that vaccines are safe and effective, as shown throughout history. Make sure you are getting answers from credible sources. Speak to a medical professional that cares about the health and wellbeing of your family. Talk to your child’s primary care physician and explore resources like IVaccinate.org. I Vaccinate provides Michigan parents with information and tools based on real medical science and research to help them protect their children and families. Resources include a parent-focused, Michigan-specific website (IVaccinate.org), social media communities (@IVaccinateMI on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), and more.

Remember it’s never too late to do the right thing for your family. Whatever you decide, always remember there are resources available to help guide you along your journey. Be sure you’re taking the steps to educate yourself about the best options for you and your family. I am sure glad that I did. I Vaccinate has been an amazing resource for me, and it can be for you as well! Be sure to visit IVaccinate.org for more answers to your questions!

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