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A Healthy Rise In Vaccinations

Here's a shot of good news: more American babies than ever before are protected against 10 childhood diseases. Four years ago, only 55% of children under age 2 had the immunizations, or shots, they needed. Now 75% of kids under 2 are immunized.

"Childhood infectious diseases are at an all-time low," said Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, who announced the new statistics last week.

Raising immunization rates has long been a goal of President Bill Clinton's. He introduced a plan in 1994 to provide cheaper--sometimes free--shots, more places where kids can get immunized and more information for parents about what shots children need.

Shalala pointed out that protection from measles, chicken pox, mumps and other diseases is not just for babies. "Booster shots are like refilling the gas tank, making sure your immune system is able to run," she told TFK.

With help from the Federal Government, researchers are trying to develop one shot that would protect against all 10 diseases. That would mean fewer ouches at the doctor's office.

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