Marylyn Ranta, MD, Author at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Blog

Don’t let myths about vaccinations put your child at risk

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

Don’t let myths about vaccinations put your child at risk Vaccinations are a very safe and proven way to protect your child from diseases that can cause injury or death. They can help protect children from diseases such as:

Measles
Mumps
Influenza
Whooping cough
Some types of bacterial pneumonia
Serious blood infections
Several types of meningitis
Certain liver diseases
Cervical cancer

Some people avoid vaccines because they believe immunizations can make you sick. This isn’t true. Most vaccines cause only minor side effects. If a child gets a disease that …Continue reading →

It’s not too late to avoid the flu: Get vaccinated

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, a noticeable increase in influenza cases and associated hospitalizations nationwide — including Wisconsin — serves as a reminder that it is not too late to receive the flu vaccine.

The flu causes high fever, aches, cough and fatigue. It also can lead to pneumonia and even death. Pregnant women, infants and anyone with ongoing medical conditions such …Continue reading →

Avoid the flu: Get vaccinated

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

In our region, influenza illnesses are most common in late fall and winter. The “flu” causes high fever, achiness, cough and fatigue. It also can lead to pneumonia and even death. Pregnant women, infants and anyone with ongoing medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma have a greater risk of becoming seriously ill from the infection.

The best way to make sure you and your family stay healthy is for everyone over the age of …Continue reading →

Why vaccinating family members helps protect babies

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this week on a study that found having older siblings already vaccinated for chickenpox reduced the likelihood of infants developing chickenpox by 90 percent. Other medical studies have shown similar large decreases in the number of infants who got sick with measles, whooping cough and the flu when their families were up to date on vaccinations. These studies are a reminder that young infants are more vulnerable to many diseases. The younger infants are when they get sick, the more likely …Continue reading this post

Chickenpox parties should be left in the past

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

Chickenpox (varicella) may seem to be just an annoying illness, but all too often it can lead to severe complications and even death. Fortunately, we have an effective and safe vaccine.

Years ago, some parents would deliberately expose their children to other kids who had an active case of chickenpox, hoping that their own child would build immunity. Today, news outlets are reporting another …Continue reading this post

Why it’s important that your family stays up-to-date on vaccines

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

As you were stocking up on your back-to-school supplies, did you forget to also take stock of your children’s vaccine status? Vaccine recommendations change over time so it’s a great idea to add this item to your annual back-to-school checklist. Most Wisconsin doctors enter vaccine dates into the Wisconsin Immunization Registry, where you can review current vaccine schedules …Continue reading this post

Why you should vaccinate your preteen girl against HPV

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently reported that only about half of teen girls in the U.S. have received the human papillomavirus vaccine. The need for this vaccine is clear. About 20 million people, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with …Continue reading this post

Local case of measles highlights need for vaccination

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

A child in Milwaukee has been diagnosed with measles. Measles is an illness that causes high fever, bloodshot eyes, cough and a rash. In some cases, people also develop pneumonia and rarely a severe brain infection. It’s very easy to spread measles from person to person and there is no treatment. Fortunately, it’s also very easy to prevent measles. …Continue reading this post

We’re making progress on immunization rates

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

The last year has been eventful. The British doctor who published a medical article potentially linking autism to vaccinations was accused of falsifying his data and lost his medical license. The pediatric community welcomed the approval of an enhanced pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar 13), which will protect young children from even more subtypes of deadly bacteria that cause meningitis and severe blood infections. And, we were saddened by the tragedy of 10 infants from California dying of whooping cough (pertussis), a sobering reminder that vaccine-preventable diseases always are around.

Beginning in early 2010, all of the entities of Children’s Hospital and Health System pledged to work together to make a difference. Harnessing this collective energy and collaborative spirit, during the last year the health system was able to show improvement in vaccination rates in children age 2 and younger. In 2011, we will continue to partner with other organizations in our community to improve immunization rates across the region for all age groups and to spread the word that vaccines are effective, necessary and safe.

For more information about immunizations, read my blog Get the Facts about Vaccinations or call (800) CDC-INFO or visit Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

~ Lyn Ranta, MD, director of Physician Affairs, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Dr. Ranta is a co-leader of Children’s Hospital’s immunization initiative, and she treated children as a community pediatrician for more than 20 years.

Doctor who linked autism to vaccine may have falsified results

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Marylyn Ranta, MD

In 1988, Dr. Andrew Wakefield and other British physicians published a study that proposed a link between the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and autism. In the last 22 years, many larger more rigorous medical studies have failed to replicate any evidence of a connection between any vaccine (or vaccine preservative) and autism spectrum disorders.

An article this week in the British Medical Journal reviewed all of the original research data and concluded that Dr. Wakefield either grossly misinterpreted or potentially falsified his 1988 results. His license to practice medicine in Britain was revoked in May 2010.

Unfortunately, many parents still continue to be fearful and refuse to have their children vaccinated. Talk with your physician to help separate fact from fiction. The risk of catching these preventable diseases is real. The germs are still present and spread as easily as the common cold. Be a superhero and make sure your children are appropriately immunized.