THERE’S A LOT
of information out there about children and vaccines.
But perhaps the most important thing you need to know is this: Vaccines
save kids’ lives.
Immunizations help protect kids against potentially debilitating and
deadly diseases, such as polio and measles. According to the American
Academy of Pediatrics, vaccines have reduced the number of infections
from these preventable illnesses by more than 90 percent.
It’s true that many of these diseases are rare—in part due to the
eectiveness of immunization. But that doesn’t mean that children don’t
need protection.
The viruses and bacteria that cause these diseases still exist. Also, some
vaccine-preventable illnesses are still common outside of the U.S., so
travelers could bring diseases home with them. That’s why it’s important
for kids to be up-to-date on their shots.
Are they safe?
Vaccines are both eective and safe. Side eects are usually mild and can
include swelling, redness and tenderness at the site of the injection. Also,
kids may have a slight fever or fussiness for a little while after a shot.
Most children—even those with a minor illness, such as a cough or an ear
infection—can be immunized safely. Kids who have a more serious illness
may need to delay or avoid certain shots.
For more information, visit
www.cdc.gov/vaccines
.
Welcome to RMC!
Ambassadors at your service
As you arrive at the main
entrance of RMC Anniston,
you’ll encounter new friendly
faces to greet you and help you
find your way. Our Ambassador
Program, launched in April,
aims to create a wow eect for
patients and visitors.
Ambassadors are available
from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. They
will enhance your experience
here—helping to greet, direct
and transport patients and
visitors; ease trac challenges;
support security personnel;
and maintain cleanliness of the
main entrance.
RMC Ambassadors comple-
ment the exceptional support
and service already found in
the RMC Auxiliary. Together,
they represent a collection
of people with true servant
hearts—people who give
generously of their time and
talents to assist not only
patients and visitors but to
help our sta focus on their
important work here.
Give your kids
a good shot
at
protection
From left: Russell Williams, Kyser
Whatley and Wayne Tillman, RMC’s
first three Ambassadors
AMBASSADORS
Regional Medical Center
10
WELLNESS