In the era before vaccines hundreds of thousands of American children died from infectious childhood diseases. Today children who are not immunized, particularly infants, are at risk of serious illness and death.
Immunizations are among the most vital and cost-effective medical interventions available.
Children in the United States routinely recieve vaccinations against nine childhood diseases. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have immunization laws or requirements for school children and for children attending day care centers. Before the measles vaccine recieved approval in 1963, an average of over 500,000 cases were reported each year. Measles killed 400-500 people annually. The nation had resurgence in measles beginning in 1989.