It’s Easy to Protect Yourself and Everyone Around You From Preventable Illnesses
Preventing an illness is always easier than treating it. That’s why The World Health Organization has declared the last week in April “World Immunization Week.” This year’s theme, “Protected Together #VaccinesWork,” aims to raise public awareness of preventable diseases by encouraging everyone to get immunized. With the alarming recent rise in cases of rare illnesses, it’s more important now than ever to make sure your family is fully protected.
Why Vaccines Still Matter in 2018
Many years ago, diseases like polio, measles and mumps killed thousands of children and adults on an annual basis. Thankfully, scientists developed vaccines to protect people from those illnesses, and millions of lives have been saved as a result. That’s why many institutions, such as hospitals and schools, now require immunization records from everyone to ensure public safety.
Unfortunately, since few people alive today remember the devastation caused by those illnesses so long ago, some parents today assume that their children no longer need vaccinations. Sadly, this trend has led to a rise in preventable illness in the U.S. during recent years.
The Resurgence of Preventable Diseases
The measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause pneumonia, brain swelling, deafness and even death. According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,789 measles cases in the U.S. from 2001 to 2015. In 2014 alone, 667 cases of measles were recorded, which is a record for the country since the disease was thought to have been eliminated decades ago.
Since children have undeveloped immune systems, they are especially vulnerable to contagious illnesses like measles. Therefore, federal guidelines recommend that children receive their first round of vaccines at 12-15 months of age followed by a second round at ages 4-6. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 19 million children across the globe are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. With more people traveling abroad than ever before, the risk for communicable illnesses is at an all time high.
Get Vaccinated at Integra Urgent Care
Integra Urgent Care serves patients in the Dallas Fort-Worth seven days a week to provide medical help when you need it. In addition to treating minor injuries and illnesses, Integra Urgent Care offers vaccines to protect patients against preventable diseases such as:
- Cervical cancer
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis B
- Measles
- Mumps
- Pertussis, or whooping cough
- Pneumonia
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- Tetanus
Integra Urgent Care’s staff of board certified physicians and nurses can give you expert advice on the risks and benefits of getting immunized. Call or simply walk into one of our DFW locations in Grand Prairie, Weatherford, and Las Colinas to get your family’s vaccinations up-to-date.