Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

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April 3, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Every Shot Counts"

Better Homes and Gardens (www.bhg.com) (04/02) Vol. 80, No. 4, P. 230; Cooper, Elaine

It is extremely important for all children to receive necessary vaccinations, but many are still not up-to-date on their shots. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over a quarter of all children in the United States do not receive a complete series of shots.  There can be terrible consequences if children do not get vaccinated.  For example, there have been numerous cases of whooping cough lately, resulting in hospitalization and death in some cases, particularly among babies.  Because many parents are concerned at the number of injections babies require--up to 20 by the time they are a year-and-a-half--vaccine manufacturers are currently trying to make new combination vaccines that will lower the number of necessary injections.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.