Sadly, this is true. In the last couple of years, Texas health officials have issued alerts for measles, whooping cough, and meningococcal disease. These are diseases that were very common prior to the discovery of effective vaccines and largely disappeared with immunization programs. But due to many people postponing or even avoiding immunizations for children altogether, they are on the rise again. And this alarms the health care community because these diseases can cause serious harm. The solution is for kids, teens and adults to protect themselves, and the community, by getting their scheduled immunizations.
Still not sure? Get the doctors point view. Cook Children's pediatricians speak out about why it's wise to immunize:
We're parents too. And as parents the physicians, nurses, clinical staff and caregivers of Cook Children's believe in immunizations and vaccinate our very own children. Just like you, we want to protect them from unnecessary harm.