Immunizations are very effective and are very useful in helping us win the battle against dangerous and common illnesses. It is very important to have every child immunized since immunization will help to create a population resistant to a particular disease. The final desired effect of immunization is the total elimination of a specific virus or bacteria.

Vaccination should not be postponed or eliminated unless there is a valid medical contraindication.

The most common false contraindications include:

• Mild illness with a low grade fever
• Taking antibiotics or recovering from illness
• Local reactions at the site of the injection
• Fever less than 105 degrees following DtaP immunization
• Non-specific allergies or relatives with allergies; and

The conditions or reasons listed above are not grounds for delaying or ignoring your child’s immunizations. As always, consult your child’s physician or print these immunization schedules. You may also log on to baymed.org, scroll over Health Checks and You, and join our e-list for further information.

For more information about childhood diseases or development, contact Inez Balinska, MD or Darek Balinski, MD, Bay Regional Pediatrics, Medical Mall, 1456 W. Center Road, Essexville. (989) 895-4840.