Parents often have many questions about immunizations. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to talk with a pediatrician. The science behind vaccines can be rather complex, but a pediatrician can work with parents to resolve questions and concerns. Ultimately, vaccines are crucial for society and have prevented the spread of many different serious diseases. If you have concerns about immunizations and live in or near Falls Church, VA, contact Sacoto Pediatrics. Dr. Maria Sacoto and Dr. Vasanthi Chadive are always happy to help.
How Do Vaccines Protect Children?
There are many dangerous diseases in the world and some of them can kill children or leave them with permanent disabilities. Many diseases can also affect adults, although in some cases, children are more vulnerable because their immune system is not as experienced as an adult’s immune system.
The body’s immune system is an amazing system that can protect people day in and day out. Yet it takes time for the system to learn how to fight a disease. Some diseases can also overwhelm the immune system if they are not quickly controlled and mitigated. This is where vaccines come in.
A vaccine will basically train the body’s immune system. A weakened or dead virus may be introduced, giving the immune system time to learn how to identify and neutralize the virus. In some cases, small parts of the virus are introduced to the body rather than the whole virus. Regardless, the body can learn how to fight off the disease. If you'd like to schedule immunizations and live in or near Falls Church, VA, contact Sacoto Pediatrics. Dr. Sacoto and Dr. Chadive can provide them.
The beauty of vaccines is that they make the body stronger and more capable. A strong immune system that has been given an advanced warning of various diseases through the use of vaccines can more consistently and safely protect a child. In some cases, a child might still contract a disease, but it often won’t be as severe.
Vaccination Makes Communities Stronger
Some children can’t take vaccines. Often, this is because the child’s immune system is compromised. Yet if the other children around them are vaccinated, it still provides protection via herd immunity. The more children that are vaccinated, the harder it is for a disease to spread. This keeps even unvaccinated children safe. Nothing is foolproof, but vaccines can greatly increase safety for the entire community. If you have questions about immunizations and live in or near Falls Church, VA, schedule an appointment at Sacoto Pediatrics. Dr. Sacoto and Dr. Chadive can be reached at (703) 820-1951.