Final answer:
The statement is false; immunizations protect against both diseases and their serious complications, including death, by stimulating the immune system and creating immunity. Immunizations also contribute to public health through herd immunity, protecting those who cannot be vaccinated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that immunizations are useful in protecting children from diseases but not from the serious complications is false. Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system without causing the illness itself. This capacity allows immunizations to not only prevent the onset of diseases such as measles, mumps, and chickenpox, but also to protect against the potentially serious complications associated with these illnesses. These complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. By receiving vaccines, individuals can develop immunity, which takes several weeks to become fully effective, potentially for a lifetime although some require periodic booster shots.
Furthermore, through the concept of herd immunity, high levels of vaccination within a population protect those who cannot be vaccinated, such as children with compromised immune systems. It is well-documented that widespread immunization has led to the worldwide eradication of smallpox and significant reduction in diseases like polio and measles. However, when vaccination rates drop, there is a risk of these diseases resurfacing, as evidenced by the measles outbreaks that recently occurred.
Therefore, contrary to the idea that vaccines only prevent the disease, they are indeed vital in preventing serious health complications that can arise from these infectious diseases, thereby supporting both individual and public health.