As you and your family settle into another new school year and include Girls on the Run (GOTR) practices into your schedule, it can be hard to keep up and keep it all straight. One thing that is important to keep in your family’s schedule and on track, however, is vaccination appointments. Vaccines are one of the most effective public health interventions in history, saving countless lives and preventing the spread of dangerous diseases. For example, polio vaccines have prevented an estimated 20 million cases of paralysis in children since 1988. Today, polio is 99% eradicated. In 1980, smallpox was declared eradicated worldwide due to vaccination efforts.

"Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system, giving something that looks like or is similar to the contagion, stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that last and have memory to fight and protect against those specific infection in the future. It's important to remind people that vaccines are not new. They've been around for a very long time and are extremely safe," says Dr. Daniel Beardmore, an SSM Health Pediatrician.

In Wisconsin, 10.8% of students did not meet minimum immunization requirements for attending school according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Measles, chickenpox, and whooping cough are all highly contagious diseases that can have serious consequences, especially for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Vaccines for measles, chickenpox, and whooping cough have been instrumental in reducing the incidence of these diseases and their complications. Vaccination not only safeguards individual health but also helps create a safer and healthier environment for everyone.

Check with your pediatrician's office or local SSM Health Pharmacy to schedule a vaccination appointment for your child to keep them on track.