Top Five reasons why it’s wise to immunize
KRHC celebrates National Infant Immunization Week

Community Health at Kossuth Regional Health Center is recognizing National Infant Immunization Week from April 19 to 26.  Immunizations are especially important for infants and young children.  Read on for the top five reasons you should consider having your infant or child immunized.

1.  Child can avoid serious illness through immunizations
Infants will receive a wide range of immunizations in their first year of life, ranging from tetanus and polio to measles, mumps and rubella.  Young children, under the age of five, are especially susceptible to diseases since their immune systems have not built up a full defense against disease.  Vaccination is a form of disease prevention and highly recommended for all infants and young children.

2. Weigh the risks
As with any medication, some children will react to certain vaccinations.  Fever, rash and soreness where the injection was given are all common side effects.  For the most part, these side effects are minor and will pass within a few days.  More serious reactions are possible when receiving a vaccination, but this is generally quite rare.  For most individuals, the risk of the disease is more of a concern than the potential side effect. If you are concerned about the possibility of a serious health risk created by vaccinations, contact your health care provider for more information.

3. Keep a record
Keeping an accurate record of your child’s immunizations is important for many reasons.  Some vaccines require multiple doses and an accurate record is helpful in remembering which dose is needed.  Keeping track will ensure that you don’t repeat a vaccination for your child.  Also, children will need to provide proof of certain immunizations and other health records to begin school.

4.  Free vaccinations are available
Community Health offers immunizations to any child newborn through 18 years that qualifies for Vaccines for Children.  This federal government program provides vaccines to Community Health for those who have no or limited health insurance and are unable to afford immunizations.  There is no charge for the immunizations, but a $15 administrative fee is requested, or $30 for two or more vaccines.  Medicaid/Title 19 covers this fee.  Please contact Community Health for more information about this program or to set up an appointment. 

5.  Immunizations aren’t just for infants
Don’t think that immunizations end when your baby grows up.  Vaccines boosters are needed prior to school entry at age 4-6 years. Vaccines are also needed just before your child turns into a teenager.  Several vaccines are recommended for adolescents such as Menomune vaccine to prevent bacterial meningitis, Gardasil to prevent genital human papillomavirus infections in girls, pertussis protection with Tdap and the chicken pox vaccine for those who have not had the disease or had not had two doses of the vaccine.  Even adults need vaccinations. Tetanus is needed every 10 years or less throughout adulthood. Travelers to other countries sometimes need certain vaccines before they leave. All ages six months through adulthood are recommended to get a yearly flu shot.

 For more information about immunizations, contact Community Health at Kossuth Regional Health Center at 515.295.4430 or go to www.krhc.com.