Parents are protective of their children from every possible situation they may encounter in life. They will protect them even at the cost of their own lives, without as much as batting their eye lids. They take preventive measures to protect their children from harm and danger. Door latches and car seats are some examples. It is no different when it comes to the health of their children. So many precautions are taken to protect them from even as much as getting a cold or a cough. So how much more precautions should they take for prevention of diseases which can cause death or other serious complications to a child.
Children are born with a natural immune system due to inherited antibodies from their mothers. This immune system is effective for a period of 1 to 12 months. However, their immunity does not cover some of the sicknesses such as whooping cough, polio and hepatitis B.
In the past, prior to effective immunization being available, death of children due to measles, polio and whooping cough were high. Even today these same germs exist but due to preventive vaccines the numbers suffering from these diseases are insignificant. Vaccines not only prevent your children but also future generations from contacting diseases. A good example is Small Pox which has been eradicated in the United States of America and therefore vaccine is no longer necessary. It is hoped that this would be the case with every preventable disease.
Prevention is better than cure. Every preventable disease does not cause death but yet they would have to undergo much pain of mind and anxiety, not forgetting the time and money that they will have to spend. It also helps to protect those who are not able to be vaccinated due to health reasons. If the community is healthy and proper sanitation facilities are available the spread of diseases can be prevented.
Even now we hear of outbreak of epidemics in some parts of the world causing death to thousands and of children and adults. This could have been easily avoided if the relevant vaccines had been administered but unfortunately not all countries have the ability to do so.
Even in countries where the community health is high, the need for immunization is still prevalent as there might still be a one in hundred chance of contacting the virus from overseas travelers who may not be immunized. Some diseases such as chicken pox though considered mild can still be the cause of death if the attack is severe.
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