American Academy of Pediatrics Launches Protect Tomorrow Campaign Bringing History to Life So Vaccine-Preventable Illnesses Don't Re-emerge

CHICAGO, April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The bumps and bruises of childhood can't always be avoided, but there is no reason for children to suffer from any of the infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. Polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and other illnesses are often thought of as diseases of past generations. While young parents of today may not have experienced the devastation caused by these diseases, the germs still exist -- and these diseases can re-emerge -- if parents don't vaccinate their children. To remind parents about the importance of childhood immunizations, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is launching a new educational awareness campaign called Protect Tomorrow.

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Protect Tomorrow brings to life the memories of the terrible diseases of the past and reminds parents that, unless they are vaccinated, infants and children are at risk for contracting infectious diseases that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The campaign encourages parents to talk with their pediatrician about the benefits of vaccines, the importance of the recommended immunization schedule and how to best protect their child's health.

Despite the vast body of evidence that shows the public health benefits of vaccines, challenges still exist that stand in the way of full immunization of American children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) annual National Immunization Survey, nearly one-quarter of children in the U.S. between the ages of 19 and 35 months, did not receive the recommended series of childhood vaccines in 2008, the last year for which this figure is available.

"Vaccines are one of the greatest medical advances of all time.  Our goal for the campaign is to urge parents to get their children vaccinated today so they can have a healthy tomorrow," said pediatrician Alanna Levine, MD, FAAP. "Each year, the recommended immunization schedule is reviewed and published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. It is critical that parents talk with their pediatricians and ensure their children are up-to-date with vaccinations so that children are protected and history does not repeat itself."

The core components of the educational campaign are TV and radio public service announcements that help all of us to remember the devastation of the diseases that can now be largely prevented by vaccines. To complement the PSAs, there are resources available online at ProtectTomorrow.org, including vignettes featuring three individuals from the TV PSA recounting their personal experiences with these diseases. Those who log on can also access complete information about vaccines, including the recommended immunization schedule.

Knowledge is Power

Cile Turner Borman, of Los Angeles, remembers all too well how painful it was when her Aunt Sweetie died of diphtheria in 1944. A young girl in Mississippi at the time, Cile realizes now how little her family knew about getting the proper health care; none of them realized how sick Aunt Sweetie actually was.

"At that time, we did not have access to health care or realize why preventive health care was so important. It wasn't until my family moved to Detroit and there were immunization requirements for school that we learned about the importance of vaccines," said Cile, who appears in the Protect Tomorrow PSA.

Jack Bunkley, of Atlanta, was paralyzed after he contracted polio when he was 27 years old. Only after a slow and painful recovery was he able to walk again. Since being struck with post-polio syndrome two years ago, he now has difficulty walking again.

"People should take advantage of vaccines and not take their health for granted," said Jack, who made sure that his children and grandchildren had all their vaccinations on time. "I wouldn't want anyone to suffer as I did, and with the vaccines that are now available, there are steps parents can take to help protect their children and themselves."

Ann Rittenhouse, of Pasadena, Calif., had measles and chickenpox herself and witnessed the impact chickenpox had on her sons when they were young.  

"I urged my son to have his daughter vaccinated," said Ann. "If there are medical advances that will help you or your children avoid illness, then you should take advantage of them."

About Vaccines

Vaccines are intended to produce immunity to a disease by stimulating the production of antibodies. Vaccines help prevent disease in the people who receive them and help protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals.  They are responsible for protection against infectious diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

Vaccine-preventable diseases have a costly impact, resulting in doctor's visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. More important, vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives. Routine vaccination programs have prevented the deaths of hundreds of millions of people and saved billions of dollars in public health expenditures.

Every year since 1995, the AAP, the CDC and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have endorsed an annual childhood immunization schedule. Currently, the CDC recommends childhood vaccination against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.

About the American Academy of Pediatrics and Protect Tomorrow

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The Protect Tomorrow campaign is a public health service from the AAP with support provided by Sanofi Pasteur.

SOURCE American Academy of Pediatrics