A yearly flu shot could save your child’s life HEALTHY LIVING
Making sure your child gets a flu shot every year should be a priority, even if you’re a busy parent. Research published in “Pediatrics” shows that making a trip to the doctor’s office before flu season could be vital in avoiding a potential tragedy.
A study by members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at 358 lab-confirmed pediatric deaths associated with influenza from July 2010 to June 2014. Of that number, the study was able to confirm the vaccination status for 291 deaths and found that only 26 percent had received flu vaccinations. By comparing this number with three other groups of children whose vaccination statuses were tracked, the study concluded that 65 percent of flu-related deaths among children could be prevented with an annual flu shot.
A natural defense
The flu vaccine works by imitating the virus, causing your body to develop antibodies that defend against the strains of influenza scientists predict will be common for the upcoming flu season. Though these predictions can vary in accuracy from year to year, the vaccine consistently reduces the risk of contracting the flu.
Protecting your family
While childhood death from the flu is rare, missing a flu vaccine can increase your child’s chances of contracting severe complications from the virus, such as pneumonia or an ear infection. The best way to protect yourself and your children is to make sure your family gets vaccinated every year.
A brief history of vaccines
As early as the 1100s, people in China, Turkey, Africa and Europe used a technique called variolation to inoculate people against smallpox. This technique introduced matter from a smallpox victim into a small cut on the recipient’s skin. After a brief period of mild illness, that person would be immune to the disease.
Edward Jenner was an important figure who helped make vaccination a more common practice in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He came up with the term vaccination from the Latin word for cowpox, vaccinia.
In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared that smallpox had been eradicated, showing the effectiveness of vaccinations worldwide and ending a centurieslong battle against the disease.
About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensed bed facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission. Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. With more than 50 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassionate, customerfocused care. SSRH is an affiliate of Northwest Health, one of the largest health networks in Northwest Arkansas, and through that affiliation is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a select group of independent health systems that work closely with Mayo Clinic to improve the delivery of health care and better serve their patients and their communities. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is located at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs. For more information, visit NorthwestHealth.com.