Mahaska Health Partnership Encourages Child Vaccinations
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – A hot topic in today’s world is whether or not to vaccinate your children. However, nothing protects them better from 14 serious childhood diseases than vaccines. MHP Family Practice Physician Eric Miller, DO, explains the importance of ensuring your children are protected throughout childhood with regular scheduled immunizations.
The United States currently has the safest vaccine supply in its history. “Side effects from vaccines are rare and usually minor, such as irritation at the injection site,” Dr. Miller explained. “It’s especially important for children to be immunized on the schedule set by their primary care provider in order to build resistance to diseases like polio and whooping cough.
“There is a common misconception that vaccines make us sick,” Dr. Miller continued. “However, while a vaccine contains the same antigens that cause a disease, they are either no longer living or are weakened to the point that they don’t cause illness. The great part about this is the body will still build up antibodies that lead to immunity against whatever disease was in the vaccine, helping protect us without ever having to actually get sick.”
While diseases have been controlled and even eradicated with vaccines, it’s important to continue immunizing children as the infections still exist. “Children up to age two get many vaccines and it can seem overwhelming,” Dr. Miller empathized. “However, it’s important to get them at the right times in order to provide immunity and prevent a lapse where the child is vulnerable to infection.
“It’s a common worry that their little immune systems can be overwhelmed with multiple injections at one time,” Dr. Miller continued. “However, babies are constantly exposed to germs in their daily lives and their bodies are used to fighting them off, so it’s nothing new. Additionally, the antigens in vaccines are not active so they don’t pose a threat of infection. By keeping up with immunizations and getting them on time, you can not only protect your child from these diseases, but also those who are unable to be vaccinated due to health complications.”
“Many of today’s parents haven’t seen the devastating effects of these illnesses on children, making it hard to understand their effects,” Dr. Miller explained. “A small amount of discomfort with a vaccine is minor in comparison to a lifetime of suffering. We are fortunate to live in a society that is able to prevent such a vast amount of life-threatening diseases.”
Family Practice Physician Eric Miller, DO, practices full time in the MHP Medical Group. Growing up with a Pediatrician Mother and Farmer Father, Dr. Miller enjoys caring for families in a rural setting. He describes himself as more of a listener than a talker and enjoys hearing about a patient’s life experiences. In his free time, Dr. Miller enjoys the outdoors and building model trains. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Miller, call 641.672.3360.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.
