Mother and Hospitalist Dr. Romano Shares Reasons to Get Your Children Vaccinated

As a mom of two, I know how chaotic August can be! many families are trying to squeeze out the last bit of summer in between back to school shopping, meet the teacher nights, and the ever-exciting first day of school. But in between the hustle and bustle of the next few weeks, please remember to stop and check that your child is up-to-date on their vaccines! 

When people hear that I’m a pediatrician they often ask if my own children are vaccinated and I always answer with a resounding yes! The next question I’m asked is why I chose to get my kids vaccinated. Here are just a few of my reasons why:

1. Vaccines are safe!

• Millions and millions of vaccines are administered every year with minimal side effects.
• The most common side effects are a low-grade fever, some redness around the vaccine site and maybe some muscle aches.
• Every vaccine went through the same process to ensure they are safe. Side effects and potential reactions are reviewed by multiple agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

2. Vaccines are effective!

• Across the world, diseases like smallpox have all but been eradicated because of vaccines!

3. Vaccines save lives!

• Vaccines prevent diseases and illnesses that have serious consequences, even in otherwise healthy children.
• Vaccines prevent diseases that can lead to hospitalizations, pneumonia, potential hearing loss, potential loss of an arm or a leg, brain damage and even death.

4. Vaccines do not cause autism.

• Science and research has proven again and again that there is absolutely no link between vaccines and autism.

5. Vaccines are recommended by my kids’ own pediatrician.

• Vaccines are also recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the CDC and others.

6. Vaccines help keep my community safe.

• Vaccines protect more than just kids. They protect your child’s grandparents, their classmates, your neighbors, and the community at large.
• Vaccines can help prevent your child from spreading illnesses to at-risk individuals such as your parents who have diabetes, your child’s classmate who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, your neighbor who just received a kidney transplant or the cashier in the grocery store who has an autoimmune condition.
• We rely on everyone to get their vaccines to keep the community safe!

7. I want my kids to give their grandparents a big hug at Thanksgiving!

• My father has multiple medical conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and Type 1 Diabetes. We get our vaccines so every time we see him, my kids can run and give their Pap the BIGGEST hug in the world without worrying about giving him the flu!

If you have any questions or concerns about vaccines, please reach out to your pediatrician or primary care provider. We would love to talk to you more and answer all of your questions and concerns!