Childhood Vaccinations: Is It Important

Yes! Absolutely! Immunizing your child/children from infectious diseases is key to protecting the health and wellness of your child, your family and the public. Vaccines prevent disease in the people who receive them and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals.  The one thing that concerns parents are the health and safety issues that constantly cross their minds when it comes to protecting their children.  Let's look at the pros when vaccinating children and how it affects the whole community:
The risks of not being vaccinated far outweigh the small risks associated with vaccination. Preventable diseases like measles and mumps can cause permanent disability and death. In 1991 an outbreak of measles in an unvaccinated group of children in Philadelphia caused seven deaths. Children infected with the mumps can become permanently deaf.  Although a very small number of deaths from the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine have been reported), the most common adverse reactions are minor soreness and or fever
Vaccines should be required because they produce significant economic benefits for society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every $1 spent on vaccination saves the public $6.30 in medical costs that would result from having to treat unvaccinated diseased individuals
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most childhood vaccines are 90-99% effective in preventing disease. When children who have been vaccinated do contract a disease, despite being vaccinated against it, they usually have milder symptoms with less serious complications than an un-vaccinated child that gets the same disease.  And, if you're thinking about enrolling your child, remember that most states require that your child is immunized before entering.  each state decides which immunizations are required for your child's enrollment and attendance at a child care facility or school in that state. Immunization requirements and allowable exemptions may vary by state, and they may be updated and changed regularly.
So, when considering the option to vaccinate your child or not, it is important to remember that an unimmunized child is at greater risk of catching measles, one of the most infectious diseases there is and one which can cause serious complications or even death...And, they might not be able to get into school.

References:
Five important reasons to vaccinate your child. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/promotional/media/downloads/matte-reasons-vaccinate.pd