Why Vaccines Should Be a Priority in the New Year
The start of a new year means a fresh start and an opportunity to focus on what’s important to you in 2025. Staying active and healthy is usually a priority, but for parents, it’s not just about their own health, it’s also about the well-being of their family. While eating right and getting out for a run are some of the best ways to stay healthy, there’s another crucial aspect to consider, vaccinations. Ensuring your children are vaccinated against preventable diseases is one of the most effective ways to make sure they stay healthy in the new year. As we reflect on the past year, it’s important to look back on the impact vaccines have had in significantly reducing child mortality rates over the past century.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
In the 1800s, childhood deaths were common for many families. Nearly half of all children born didn’t make it to their fifth birthday. Infectious diseases like smallpox, diphtheria, and tuberculosis claimed the lives of millions. In 2020, child mortality in the United States dropped to just seven deaths per thousand births, the lowest rate ever recorded.
Vaccines, along with advancements in sanitation, antibiotics, and food safety, have resulted in millions of lives to be saved. Statistics show that vaccines alone have prevented an estimated 154 million deaths worldwide. Of these, 146 million were children under the age of five, including 101 million infants under one year old.
The Threat of Complacency
The history of vaccines is positive; however, recently, there has been a small increase in the number of people not getting vaccinated, despite medical advancements. Diseases like measles, once eliminated in the United States, are starting to appear again. This resurgence is largely due to declining vaccination rates, fueled by misinformation and a growing mistrust of vaccines.
This trend can be seen in the case of more common illnesses, such as the flu. Flu vaccination rates among children have dropped significantly compared to last year. According to CDC data, as of December 7, only 41% of children have been vaccinated, down from 44% at the same time last year. Last winter’s flu season saw an estimated 28,000 flu-related deaths, including 205 pediatric deaths, the highest number ever reported during a typical flu season.
Four Things Parents Need to Know About Vaccines
- Vaccines Are Thoroughly Tested
Vaccines undergo years of rigorous development before they get approval for use. This process includes multiple phases of clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy. After approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), vaccines are reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group of medical experts who establish guidelines to protect public health. - Monitoring for Safety Continues Post-Approval
Even after vaccines are in use, their safety is continuously monitored through systems like the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This ensures that any potential issues are quickly identified and addressed, adding another layer of protection for patients. - Vaccines Protect More Than Your Child
Vaccinating your child not only shields them from dangerous diseases but also protects others who might be more susceptible to disease, like those unable to receive vaccines due to medical conditions. - The Risks of Skipping Vaccines
History has shown us the devastating effects of vaccine-preventable diseases. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine, the disease caused 2.6 million deaths annually worldwide. Today, outbreaks of measles, polio, and whooping cough are a direct result of declining vaccination rates. These diseases can cause severe complications, including lifelong disability or death.
A New Year, A New Commitment to Health
It’s 2025, the beginning of a new year. The perfect opportunity for a fresh start and setting priorities. If keeping healthy is on your list of resolutions, ensuring your children are up to date on their vaccinations should be the first step. Vaccines have transformed the world, reducing child mortality to historic lows and sparing countless families from unimaginable grief.
Vaccines have been tested and proven effective for decades and have helped free us from the constant threat of many illnesses, and we can’t let fear or false information undo the progress made..
This year, let’s prioritize what really matters, our health, our families, and the medical advances that make it all possible.
Sources
CDC: Weekly US Influenza Surveillance Report: Key Updates for Week 50, ending December 14, 2024
Statista: Child mortality rate (under five years old) in the United States, from 1800 to 2020*
