Pediatrician explains why immunizations are recommended at an early age [Video]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend children stay on track with routine vaccinations.

April 22-29 is National Infant Immunization week, highlighting the importance of protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Some of the recommended vaccines from birth to 15 months include RSV, Hepatitis A & B, DTap, polio and MMR.

The U.S. is seeing an increase in measles cases, with the CDC reporting 7 outbreaks so far this year. That’s compared to four outbreaks in 2023.

“Being immunized against MMR is very protective it’s about 97% effective. We know that the fewer children that are immunized the more risk we have for disease and so making sure that as soon as your child can receive that MMR vaccine starting around 12 months,” said Dr. Ashley Schumacher with Mercy Pediatric Clinic in Cedar Rapids.

Dr. Schumacher says immunizations start …