Immunizations aren't on anyone's list of fun things to do, but they immediately come to mind when you remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

It's been estimated that for every $1 we spend on vaccinations, we save $10 in later health care costs (National Academy of Sciences).

Before modern vaccines were widely available, common infectious diseases left people deaf, blind, brain-damaged, or dead. Today, vaccines have totally eradicated smallpox, and have nearly eradicated polio, diphtheria, and Hib infections.

80% of all shots are due within the first two years of life.

As parents, it's our responsibility to see that our children are fully protected. As adults, it's our job to get our seasonal shots and our boosters - and not tempt the fates.

"More vaccines are in the trial stage. In the next 10 years, we'll see many combination vaccines, so kids won't have to get so many individual shots."

International Travelers

For health advice (including immunization recommendations/requirements) for destinations around the world, call the Centers for Disease Control 404.332.4555 and follow the message prompts.

Note: Arrange to begin your shots at least two months before your trip.

When Shots Aren't Kept Up to Date...

New Outbreaks of diseases can take hold. Several years ago, a measles epidemic struck 55,000 Americans, and led to 11,000 hospitalizations and over 130 deaths.

The Basics

• Polio - Serious cases cause paralysis of the chest-, arms, and legs - and can lead to death. There is no cure for polio.
  
• Measles - Highly contagious. Causes rash, high fever, and cough that can last for one or two weeks. Often causes ear infections and pneumonia. Can cause encephalitis that leads to convulsions, deafness, or mental retardation.
  
• Mumps - Causes fever, headache, and inflammation o the salivary glands. Can turn into meningitis and sometimes cause encephalitis. Can result permanent hearing loss and damage to the testicles.
  
• Rubella (German Measles) - Causes mild fever for 24 hours, and a face and neck rash that lasts for several days. If it occurs during pregnancy, there is an 80% chance it will cause birth defects.
  
• Diphtheria - Easily spread through coughing or sneezing. Causes sore throat, skin infection, a mild fever and chills. Can interfere with swallowing and cause suffocation. Untreated, it can lead to paralysis or heart failure.
  
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - Highly contagious. Causes severe spells of coughing. Complications can include pneumonia convulsions, or encephalitis.
  
• Tetanus (Lockjaw) - Enters the body through a wound. Causes headache; stiffness in jaw and neck; and muscle spasms in the jaw, neck, arms, legs, and abdomen. May require intensive hospital care. At least 30% of Americans who get tetanus die.
  
• Hib Disease (Haemophilus influenza type b) - Strikes one out of every 200 (non-vaccinated) American kids before age five. Very serious in infants under 12 months. Causes pneumonia; and infections of the blood, joints, bones, soft tissues, throat, and the covering of the heart. Can cause meningitis and result in permanent brain damage. It is a common cause of ear infections in kids under seven.
  
• Hepatitis A - This infection causes liver inflammation, which causes fever, chills, abdominal pain, and jaundice. It is usually caught through contaminated food and/or water.
  
• Hepatitis B - This infection (especially if it occurs early in life) can lead to chronic liver disease and a rare form of cancer. It is usually caught from contact with blood and body fluids (i.e., sex and dirty needles).
  
• Chickenpox (Varicella) - Causes mild fever, headaches, chills, and a skin rash that forms up to 500 itchy blisters. Can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, and to shingles in later life. The average child with chickenpox misses nine days of school; parents miss work. Strep infections of the blisters can prove fatal.

Childhood/Booster Vaccines Prevent...

Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hib Disease, Hepatitis B, Chickenpox.

Infants & Children...
American Academy of Pediatrics Immunization Schedule.

Age	DTB	Polio	MMR	Hep B	Hib	Td	Var
Birth to 2 Months				X
2 Months	X	X			X1
1 to 4 Months				X
4 Months	X	X			X1
6 Months	X				X1
6 to 18 Months		X		X
12 to 15 Months			X		X1
12 to 18 Months	X2						X
4 to 6 Years	X2	X
4 to 6 Years or 11 to 12 Years			X
11 to 12 Years				X3			X4
11 to 16 Years						X5

X1	Schedule depends on which vaccine is used.
X2	DTaP, a slightly different formula of the DTP vaccine, can be substituted after 15 months.
X3	3-dose series for those not previously vaccinated.
X4	Two doses for children who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
X5	This shot should be given every 10 years thereafter.

DTP	diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
MMR	measles, mumps and rubella (German Measles).
Hep B	hepatitis B.
Hib	Haemophilus influenzae type b.
Td	tetanus and diphtheria.
Var	varicella (chickenpox).

Adults & Teens...
The Shots You Need

Flu - People who should get a flu shot include health care workers; people who work with the public or who work with kids; seniors; and people with chronic medical problems.

However, anyone who wants to avoid one to two weeks of illness is an excellent candidate for the shot.

Late October to early November is the best time to get your annual flu shot.

Pneumonia - If you're over 50, if you have a chronic illness, and/or if you have a weakened immune system, you should get a one-time pneumonia shot. (Get it when you get your flu shot.)

Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (German Measles) (MMR) - Women of childbearing age should be sure they’ve either had these three diseases or the recommended shots. Coming down with any of these diseases while pregnant can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects. Wait at least three months after your MMR shot before becoming pregnant.

One MMR shot is recommended for adults born in 1957 or later if they've not yet been immunized.

Chickenpox (Varicella) - If you are 13 or older, and have not had the chickenpox, two shots (one to two months apart) are recommended.

Note: Adults who catch 'childhood diseases" like chickenpox, measles, mumps, or rubella are at higher risk for complications.

Keep Your Own Records

Each time you or your child gets an immunization, mark the type of vaccine, the date, and side effects (if any) on an immunization record card.

• You'll need your child's shot records for day care, preschool and school admissions.
  
• You'll need your immunization records to remind you when it's time for booster shots, and for quick reference if you ever make plans to travel abroad.