Immunization Center

General Overview

Also known as vaccination, immunization is the process or procedure by which a subject (person, animal, or plant) is rendered immune, or resistant to a specific disease.

More about vaccines

Special Topics

Children

Image for immunization article The immunization controversy: should your child be immunized?

Immunizations are, without a doubt, one of the greatest public health achievements of our time. But despite their established effectiveness, some parents, concerned about the risk of side effects, choose not to immunize their children. So how safe are immunizations? And what are the risks of not immunizing your child?

Special Topics (Continued)

Adults

Rerun image Hot shots: what you should know about adult immunizations

If you think immunization is kid's stuff, you might want to reconsider. Although childhood immunizations continue to be a controversial focus of preventive health, adults are also subject to many vaccine-preventable diseases.

A vaccine to prevent cervical cancer?

Gardasil™ has been approved for use by females aged 9-26. Studies show that the vaccine offers protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers.

Travel

parachute travel thumb Visit a travel clinic before going abroad

Travel health clinics provide an essential service to those bound for foreign destinations—whether you need inoculations before your trip, antibiotics to take along with you, or follow-up care after your return. So, if your vacation checklist includes a passport, don’t leave home without visiting a travel health clinic.

Bioterrorism

Learning more about the smallpox vaccine

In the wake of terrorist threats of biological warfare, we are hearing more and more about the smallpox vaccine. But who should or shouldn't be vaccinated? Here's what you need to know.

Resources

The American Academy of Pediatrics

http://www.aap.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov

Immunization Action Coalition

http://www.immunize.org

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