April 26 through May 2, 2009, is National Infant Immunization Week, and healthcare organizations across the country are doing their part to raise awareness regarding this important issue. We at FFF Enterprises are also doing our part. In the business of ?Helping Healthcare Care,? we know that education is key when it comes to raising awareness and affecting change. This is especially true when it comes to the confusion that sometimes surrounds childhood immunizations.

Everyone wants what is best for their children. No one questions the importance of car seats, baby gates, bicycle helmets and other safety precautions. But what about making sure children have all of their scheduled vaccinations?

Did you know:

1. Immunizations can save your child's life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children have been eliminated completely, and others are close to being gone ? primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. One example of the great impact vaccines can have is the eradication of polio in the United States. Polio was once America's most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country. But today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the results of flu vaccinations. Currently, the annual U.S. flu death toll of 36,000 is almost equivalent to the 42,000 Americans who die annually from breast cancer. That number could be dramatically reduced if everyone ? especially young children ? got flu shots.

2. Vaccination is safe and effective. All vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors and healthcare professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness or tenderness at the site of injection, but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Fears about vaccines (especially those related to autism) have not been substantiated. The most comprehensive scientific studies and reviews have not found a link between vaccines and autism. Groups of experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies, also agree that vaccines are not responsible for the number of children now recognized to have autism.

3. Immunization protects others you care about. Serious vaccine-preventable diseases still occur. Unfortunately, some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated, and some people may not be able to receive vaccinations due to allergies, illness, weakened immune systems or other reasons. To help keep these individuals safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.

4. Immunizations can save your family time and money. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be kept out of school or daycare facilities. A prolonged illness can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In comparison, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and is usually covered by insurance. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.

5. Immunization protects future generations. Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations before. For example, smallpox vaccination helped eradicate that disease worldwide. Your children don't have to get smallpox shots any more because the disease no longer exists. If we keep vaccinating now, parents in the future may be able to trust that diseases like polio and measles won't infect, cripple or kill children.