Importance of Immunizations An overwhelming majority of health
professionals, medical researchers, and professional medical
organizations (such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and
the American Academy of Family Practice Physicians) recommend
immunization. Getting immunized is important for at least two
reasons: to protect yourself and to protect those around you.
Vaccines are the best way we have to prevent infectious disease.
A successful immunization program depends on the cooperation of
every person. Improved sanitation, hygiene, and other living
conditions have created a generally healthier environment and
reduced the risks for disease exposure and infection in the
United States. But the dramatic and long-term decrease of
diseases is primarily a result of widespread immunizations
throughout the U.S. population. Even though some diseases, such
as polio, rarely affect people in the U.S., all of the
recommended childhood immunizations and booster vaccines are
still needed. These diseases still exist in