PEOPLE IGNORE IMMUNIZATIONS

The "good old days" weren't so good when it came to disease control. Advanced medicine works wonders ... but what it can't do is chase people down and administer itself. People must meet the needle halfway, and, amazingly, many people aren't. If recent reports belittle the United States for its record on immunizations, then the nation's citizens, not necessarily its institutions, bear plenty of burden.

Among other reasons, history is written so those who read it can learn from mistakes of the past. Regrettably, not all people have done so with regard to health care. There was a time when a measles epidemic would kill thousands. Vaccines unearthed through tireless research all but did away with some diseases. But for all the good work immunizations have done, human neglect has given these maladies renewed life. Serums do good only in bodies, not on shelves; people are ignoring the need to immunize their children.

In 1990, more than 27,000 cases of measles were reported in the United States, the largest number of cases reported since 1977. Is that because of a shortage of vaccine? No, if that were the case, people would probably be fighting to get it. Is it because people can't afford immunizations? Possibly, in some cases. However, in this region, and probably many others across the country, federal dollars have been made available to ensure young children are immunized. The service is available free of charge in Cape Girardeau County and surrounding counties through local health departments ... and still people ignore the need.

This is Preschool Immunization Week in Missouri, a timely reminder. For your child's health, make sure immunization records are up to date. It takes time and concern ... the vaccine does the rest.