Immune systems build immunity towards certain diseases which protect against illnesses. Vaccinations help build natural resistance from pathogens without causing bodily harm by stimulating the immune system, building protective memory cells towards those particular pathogen. When a specific pathogen reenters the body, memory cells remember and destroy them, ultimately building immunity. Childhood vaccinations help build natural immunity against 14 preventable diseases without the harmful onset of disease. These diseases are: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A (Hep A), Hepatitis B (Hep B), Haemophilus Influenza type B (Hib), Influenza (Flu), Measles, Mumps, Pertussis, Pneumococcal Disease, Polio, Rotavirus (RV), Rubella, Varicella, and Tetanus (CDC, 2012, p. 9). These vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) most commonly affect children, but may also target immunocompromised individuals and people with disabilities. Each is potentially fatal if contracted and not treated promptly. Immunization is one of the greatest medical successes in human history, and promotes salubrious communities (CDPH, 2010). …show more content…
Vaccines provide immunity toward certain diseases which can otherwise sicken, disable, and/or possibly kill children. Childhood immunizations are estimated to prevent 33,101 premature deaths and 13.6 million cases of vaccine preventable illnesses per birth cohort of approximately 4 million children born annually (Fagnam, 2011). Children are perfect targets for pathogens because their immune systems are weak, and their lives are fragile at this stage in life. Moreover, vaccinating children is critical in providing population health through herd