While the thought of bringing your new baby or toddler into your doctor's office to have them poked with sharp needles may sound less than appealing, the reality of them developing a childhood disease such as whooping cough as a result of not receiving the appropriate vaccinations should be even less appealing. Currently, the baseline series of vaccines includes those that will safeguard your child from illness and even death caused by infectious diseases. The following explores why and how vaccines are important for children and the public in general. (Be alert — some questions may have more than one right answer.)

1. As of 2004, coverage for the 4:3:1:3:3 series (four doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, three doses of polio vaccine, one dose of measles-containing vaccine, three doses of Hib vaccine, and three doses of hepatitis B vaccine) increased to

a.) 75.7%
b.) 80.9%
c.) 92.4%
d.) 90%

2. Which of the following are included in the overall baseline vaccination series?

a.) Hepatitis B
b.) Chickenpox
c.) Tetanus
d.) Polio

3. The National Immunization Survey (NIS) provides vaccination coverage estimates for children between the ages of

a.) 6 months and 24 months
b.) 19 months and 35 months
c.) 3 months and 18 months
d.) Newborn and 24 months

4. Immunizations are important because they

a.) Eradicated smallpox in the United States
b.) Significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases
c.) Offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases
d.) Help protect the health of our community, especially people who have not been immunized

5. Vaccines are given to children between the ages of

a.) 1 year and 3 years
b.) 6 months and 24 months
c.) Newborn and 6 years
d.) 1 year and 4 years

6. Immunizing children

a.) Is less expensive when they are younger
b.) Helps protect the health of our community
c.) Protects them from vaccine-preventable diseases (such as whooping cough) that are not prevented through maternal immunity
d.) Both b and c

7. Costly impacts of vaccine-preventable diseases in children include

a.) Hospitalizations
b.) Doctor's visits
c.) Premature death
d.) Parents taking time off work

Vaccines are an important part of well-child care. They help prepare children's bodies to fight serious and potentially deadly diseases. In addition, by immunizing our children, we help protect the community at large, which improves the health of our community and reduces the costs associated with managing new outbreaks of these diseases.

Answers

1. B. The 4:3:1:3:3 series includes four doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), three or more doses of polio vaccine, one or more doses of measles-containing vaccine, three or more doses of Hib vaccine, which can prevent meningitis and pneumonia, and three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. The coverage increased to 80.9 percent from 79.4 percent in 2003, 74.8 percent in 2002, 73.7 in 2001, and 72.8 percent in 2000. ("Childhood Immunization Rates Surpass Healthy People 2010 Goal," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. CDC press release, July 26, 2005, http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050726.htm).

2. A, C, D. Chickenpox and childhood pneumococcal vaccines are two recent additions to the childhood immunization schedule. Because these vaccines were added in the past five years, they are not yet included in the overall series. ("Childhood Immunization Rates Surpass Healthy People 2010 Goal," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. CDC press release, July 26, 2005, http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050726.htm).

3. B. The National Immunization Survey (NIS) provides vaccination coverage estimates for children 19 to 35 months of age for each of the 50 states and 28 selected urban areas. ("Childhood Immunization Rates Surpass Healthy People 2010 Goal," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. CDC press release, July 26, 2005, http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050726.htm).

4. A, B, C, D. By staying up to date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections. (National Immunization Program, May 3, 2005, http://www.cdc.gov/nip/events/niam.default.htm).

5. C. Children are particularly vulnerable to infection, so most vaccines are given during the first five to six years of life. Other immunizations are recommended during adolescent or adult years. In addition, booster immunizations for certain vaccines are recommended throughout life, and other vaccines are recommended when traveling outside the United States. To obtain a copy of "The Parents Guide to Childhood Immunization," a 94-page booklet introducing parents to 12 childhood diseases and the vaccines that can protect children from them, check out the following website: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/Parents-Guide. (National Immunization Program, May 3, 2005, http://www.cdc.gov/nip/events/niam.default.htm).

6. D. Both B and C are correct answers. There is no monetary cost difference between immunizing younger children and older children, but the health cost could be significant if they are not protected from these diseases as early as possible. If a child is not vaccinated and is exposed to a disease germ, the child's body may not be strong enough to fight the disease. (National Immunization Program, "The Importance of Childhood Immunizations," April 6, 2000, http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/fs/gen/importance.htm).

7. A, B, C, D. While some of these factors may be more significant than others, all of them can be avoided or minimized by having your children vaccinated. (National Immunization Program, "The Importance of Childhood Immunizations," April 6, 2000, http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/fs/gen/importance.htm).