The Partial Observer by Dr. Chris Kjolhede
Why Are Childhood Vaccines So Important? Learn from Your Local Graveyard
The topic of vaccines is prominent in the news right now—especially childhood immunizations. As a longtime pediatrician (and, even more so as a father and grandpa), I’d like to take this opportunity to reacquaint our community readership with some facts around childhood vaccinations.
Children across our state, our country, and the world are still at risk for dangerous diseases. There have been recent outbreaks of measles in New York State. Pertussis (whooping cough) cases are increasing significantly. Influenza remains a cause of hospitalization among infants and young children. Nearly 200 infants and children died in the U.S. during the 2023-2024 flu season. Vaccine preventable diseases remain a serious problem for those not vaccinated.
Have you ever observed gravestones in your local cemeteries? Have you noticed the names and ages etched in their stone over decades? Many gravestones—even in our local cemeteries—contain the names of children.
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