By Christoph Diasio, MD

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The single most important thing parents can do for the health of their children is to see that they get all their vaccines and that they get them on time. Just ask older people what living in the United States with polio was like. Because of the success of vaccines, modern parents don’t know that kind of fear.

North Carolina state law requires that children be immunized for the following diseases:

Shots must be given at certain ages to be most effective, and some shots must be repeated after a few months for even greater immunity. Children can get their shots at their doctor’s office or at the county health department. The shots are free, but some doctors’ offices may charge a small administrative fee.

Even though childhood immunizations are required by law, some children still don’t get them.Their parents may be unaware of the law, or they may not understand the importance of vaccines. In the last few years, some parents have also become frightened by stories that certain vaccines can cause serious long-term side effects.

While there are small risks of allergic reactions from shots – mild leg swelling, fever or fussiness, carefully done case studies have been unable to show any increased risk of serious long-term problems.

I always tell parents that if they look at how horrible the actual diseases are, the alleged rare side effects become a lot less scary. If you really understand what diphtheria is, what tetanus is, what pertussis, is, then you realize that there are tremendous benefits to vaccinations.

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Nurse HelpLine

The Nurse HelpLine is available to FirstCarolinaCare members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will put you in touch with a Registered Nurse who can assess your condition quickly and give you advice when you need it.

The number to call is 1-800-336-2121.

You will need your name, address, date of birth, and your FirstCarolinaCare member ID number.

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