Q&A: Are immunizations still necessary?

The issue of vaccine safety comes up often in pediatric practices, so I'm glad to address it. I completely agree with your opinion—most of us don't know how bad it used to be. Deadly and frightening diseases of yesteryear have been so dramatically reduced by vaccinations that most parents are too young to remember the pain and loss they used to bring.

Unfortunately, none of the diseases we currently provide vaccines against have been eradicated worldwide. Without continued vaccination, any or all of these diseases could make a comeback. We rely on vaccines not only to protect individual children, but to create a "herd immunity." There are always children (and adults) that do not become immune from vaccines or who are too sick to receive them. If enough of the surrounding community is immune, however, it becomes unlikely there will be any infectious person to spread disease to an unimmune and vulnerable individual.

I believe that each of us has a moral obligation to protect those around us.