Immunizations Prevention of infectious disease starts with immunizations (or vaccines). Immunizations are considered the number one public health intervention of the 20th century and one of the top 10 interventions of the first decade of the 21st century.5 On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.X for the current schedule of immunizations. Fully vaccinated children in the U.S. are protected against sixteen potentially harmful diseases . Vaccine-preventable diseases can be very serious, may require hospitalization, or even be deadly — especially in infants and young children.7
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.8
Disease Vaccine Disease Spread By
Disease Symptoms
Disease Complications
Chick-pox Varicella vaccine protects against chick pox
Air, direct contact
Rash, tiredness, headache, fever
Infected blisters, bleeding disorders, encephalitis (brain swelling), pneumonia (infection in the lungs)
Diphtheria DtaP* vaccine protects against diphtheria
Air, direct contact
Sore throat, mild fever, weakness, swollen glands in neck
Swelling Of the heart muscle, heart failure, coma, Paralysis, death