Final answer:
Immunizations are an essential health measure for preventing infectious diseases in children, such as measles, mumps, and chicken pox. They work by safely invoking an immune response without causing the disease. Although there are exemptions, such as for children with AIDS, widespread immunization has significantly reduced disease prevalence and mortality rates globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immunizations play a crucial role in protecting children from infectious diseases. Some children, like those with AIDS, may have an immunocompromised status and not be eligible for certain vaccines. However, for the majority of children, receiving vaccinations is a matter of routine. These include vaccines against diseases such as measles, mumps, and chicken pox. In the United States, State laws generally mandate vaccinations for children entering public schools, though exemptions are sometimes allowed.
It is essential to recognize the impact of vaccinations historically. Before vaccines, many infectious diseases caused high rates of morbidity and mortality in children. With the advent of vaccines, which may contain a weakened form of the pathogen or a piece of it, the rates of these diseases have drastically reduced. Immunizations stimulate the immune system to build up defenses against the pathogens without causing the disease itself. This has been a huge success in public health, saving millions of lives worldwide. In fact, childhood vaccinations have prevented countless deaths and continue to be a keystone in controlling infectious diseases.
While some vaccinations may provide lifetime immunity, others require booster shots to maintain effectiveness. The schedule for these immunizations is regularly updated and recommended by organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).