New Safeguards for Kids
An array of new vaccines has the potential to save millions
of lives. Now the question is: Will all kids who need them get
them?
In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a
vaccine for females between the ages of 9 and 26 to prevent human
papillomavirus (or HPV) infection, which causes most cervical
cancers and genital warts. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) made new recommendations for kids to be immunized against
rotavirus and hepatitis A, and expanded recommendations for
influenza, meningitis, and whooping cough. There is little doubt
that these new immunizations will save many lives. But just as
certainly, they will provoke additional resistance among parents
who shun vaccinations based on religious beliefs or scientifically
unfounded safety concerns.
What to Watch:
With the new vaccines and recommendations, it will become more
challenging than ever for parents to stay up-to-date about which
immunizations are appropriate for each child's health needs.
And the expanding array of shots and the rising costs associated
with them could make paying for immunizations more of an issue:
Health plans may force parents to pay for some or all vaccines, and
some doctors may not offer all the vaccines due to problems with
reimbursement. Left unchecked, such a trend could create a divide
in society between kids who have full protection and those who
don't.
For Kids:
A Kid's Guide to Shots
Word! Vaccine
For Teens:
Vaccine Against Genital Warts and Cancer
Immunizations
For Parents:
Immunization Chart
Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations
Can Getting Immunizations Affect My Unborn Baby?
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Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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