Vaccines and Preventive Health
Vaccines as important parts of personal and public preventive health
- 20 min20 minutes
- Via InsuranceVia Insurance
- Kuakini Highway
Vaccines are among the most important parts of personal and public health and should be part of your child’s routine pediatric care. Edwin P. Herd, MD, offers the full range of pediatric vaccinations through his practice, and he can help parents in the Kailua-Kona area of Hawaii take this vital step in preventing infectious disease. To learn more, schedule an appointment with Dr. Herd you can always set up your visit by calling the office. Vaccines Q & A What are vaccines? Vaccines are essential tools in preventing infectious disease. They’re created from a minute amount of weakened or dead germs that prompts your body’s natural immune response. That means that if you are later exposed to the active version of those germs, your body is prepared to mount an aggressive response and can successfully fight off an infection. Everyone is born with an immune system that recognizes germs and then produces special proteins called antibodies that fight those germs. Once your child has been exposed to a specific type of germ and fights off that infection, they will develop an immune response that will prevent reinfection for the rest of their life. Developing immunity by being exposed to disease develops immunity effectively. However, the problem lies in the fact that your child will usually get sick from those germs as he or she builds a natural immunity. In the case of serious diseases, that can be life-threatening. Vaccines allow your child to build immunity to the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world, without having to go through a bout of sickness. What types of vaccines are available? There are many different vaccines available, and Dr. Herd guides you through the options that are right for your child and your family. Common childhood vaccines include: Rotavirus Influenza Varicella (chickenpox) Measles Polio Mumps Rubella Hepatitis A and B Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis Pneumococcal Vaccines are administered through injections. The timing of vaccination is important, as some vaccines must be given through multiple shots spaced out over time. Dr. Herd can explain your child’s vaccination schedule and answer any questions you have.
76-6225 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI, USA