The last week of April is National Infant Immunization Week, a great time to remind everyone how important it is to protect babies and young children from vaccine-preventable diseases. I’ve partnered with I Vaccinate to share my story, and this content is sponsored by I Vaccinate.
The last few years have been disruptive for many families, and some have fallen behind on routine well visits and vaccinations. Those appointments matter—especially now. In honor of this week, I want to share why staying on schedule with vaccines is so important to me.
Keeping Vaccines Up to Date
As a mom, I do everything I can to keep my kids healthy: good sleep, nutritious meals, activity—and staying current on vaccines. Since they were babies, we’ve followed the recommended vaccination schedule because it’s one of the best ways to prevent serious illness and hospital stays.
Following the recommended schedule for infants, children, and teens helps make sure they’re protected when their immune systems are still developing. Vaccines defend against 16 diseases, including HPV, which can cause six types of cancer. Getting shots on time helps protect kids when they need it most.
Protecting Against Serious Illness
Vaccines prevent serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases. They’ve been proven safe and effective against illnesses like measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and whooping cough. By vaccinating our children, we reduce their risk of these dangerous diseases.
Protecting the Community
Vaccination is a shared responsibility. When lots of people are vaccinated, it slows the spread of disease and creates herd immunity, which helps protect those who can’t be vaccinated—like infants who are too young or people with weakened immune systems. Many deadly diseases have been reduced or eliminated because of vaccines, and continuing to vaccinate helps protect future generations.
Safe and Effective
Vaccines are tested thoroughly and monitored for safety. Serious side effects are rare, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. The U.S. vaccine safety system keeps recommendations up to date as new science becomes available, ensuring vaccines remain as safe as possible.
Peace of Mind
Getting my children vaccinated gives me peace of mind. I feel confident taking them out into the world and traveling, knowing we’ve done our part to protect them from many dangerous diseases.
National Infant Immunization Week is a timely reminder to check your child’s vaccine record. If you’re not sure whether your kids are up to date, call your pediatrician to get caught up. You can also learn more about vaccine safety and effectiveness from trusted sources like iVaccinate.org. I Vaccinate offers information and tools based on medical science to help Michigan parents protect their children.
Vaccinating our children is one of the most important steps we can take to keep them healthy. By doing so, we not only protect our own families but also help build a safer, healthier community for everyone.