UTMB

Galveston Island Infant Immunization Week is April 24th – May 1st. Immunization rates in Galveston County are extremely low – less than half of all children between 19 and 35 months have had all of their vaccinations. Doctors from the University of Texas Medical Branch, the Texas Department of Health, and the Galveston County Health District have organized this week-long event to encourage families to have their children immunized.

But some parents wonder why they should have their children vaccinated when the diseases do not seem as common as they used to be. Vaccines are not 100% effective in a small percentage of the population. Diseases, such as measles, diphtheria, and whooping cough are spread through the community by people that have not been immunized, have not received all of their vaccinations, or people for whom the immunizations don’t work. These highly contagious diseases can spread quickly.

For example, there was a measles epidemic in the US from 1989 to 1991. There were about 55,000 cases and over 120 deaths (half of which were in children under five who had not been immunized).

Some parents do not get their children vaccinated because they are afraid of possible side effects, but the risk of side effects associated with vaccines compared with the risk associated with the actual diseases is smaller. In the long run, it is worse to not get immunized and catch the disease. Many of the diseases that vaccines prevent can’t be effectively treated or cured, so a child that does not get their child vaccinated runs the risk of that child catching a disease that can’t be treated. Also, just because a disease is not currently present in a community, it can be reintroduced if someone leaves the community and goes on a vacation for example, is exposed while they are away, and returns to the community.

Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system, make it stronger and teach it to fight specific diseases. Children that have not been immunized are 35 times more likely to get the disease. Some parents want to wait to have their children immunized until they go to school, but infants are more vulnerable to disease because their bodies cannot fight off disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Also, the effects of disease are more serious for babies than older children.

If your child has missed some of their scheduled vaccinations, it is not too late to get them protected. Remember, if they have only received a few of the required vaccinations, they do not have the maximum protection level against the disease and could still get sick.

There will be a number of places in Galveston where you can take your child to receive free vaccinations. All children that come will be immunized, no matter what age they are. The coordinators of the project hope to achieve 90% immunization coverage within three years. For more information about where to take your children to receive the free immunizations, please call 409-747-1247.