Immunizations may prevent diseases which can cause serious problems for adults and children. Many of these illnesses are now rare, due to the effectiveness of widespread immunization. Laws in many states require licensed daycare centers and family care homes to admit only children with current immunization records. This policy protects the children, their families, and the caregivers. The United States' Center for Disease control recommends a series of immunizing shots soon after birth, at two months, again just after the first birthday, and at four, eleven and fourteen years of age. There are currently nine routine vaccines for children, including D-P-T for diptheria, tetanus (tet-nus) and pertussis (per-tuh-sis), Hepatitis B, M-M-R for mumps, measles and rubella (roo-bell-a), polio, and Hib (hib) for a type B influenza. Except for the Hib vaccine, all are required for public school entrance. Rare medical conditions or religious beliefs may prevent childhood immunizations. In these cases, a physician or religious authority must provide documentation supporting compromised health claims or religious doctrine. For more information on immunizations contact your local center of health or human services.
