HOUSTON – (Aug. 25, 2010) – Texas Children’s Hospital has adapted its medically acclaimed book, “Vaccine-Preventable Disease: The Forgotten Story” into a Spanish-language version featuring real-life stories about the impact of five diseases that are vaccine-preventable, yet prevalent in the Hispanic and Latino communities. Copies of the book are available for purchase.

The book recently was distributed to more than 1,200 pediatricians attending the II International Pediatric Updates Symposium, a three-day conference co-sponsored by Texas Children’s and held in Cartagena, Colombia. In addition, the book has received praise from the National Hispanic Medical Association who recognized it as a helpful tool to discuss the consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases with concerned parents.

“The National Hispanic Medical Association applauds the making of the book, “Vaccine-Preventable Disease: The Forgotten Story,” said Dr. Ciro V. Sumaya, board chairman of the National Hispanic Medical Association and author of the book’s forward. “The powerful message in these personal stories is the genuine petition to the public—including the poor and vulnerable, young and old—to get immunized.”

The families featured in the stories give an intimate view of just how infectious and fatal vaccine-preventable diseases can be. As advocates for vaccines, these families share the longstanding impact the diseases had on their lives and tell why it is so important to adhere to recommended vaccine schedules.

The Sotos, one of the families in the book, sat anxiously at daughter Sydney’s side as she battled pandemic H1N1 influenza for 28 days in the hospital. Twelve-year-old Sydney had symptoms of nausea, fatigue and a fever above 100 degrees. The worsening of her ailments eventually led to the diagnosis of H1N1 influenza. Soto was then placed on a ventilator, experienced respiratory failure and even had double pneumonia. Fortunately, after intensive medical treatment, her health improved and she continues to recover.

The H1N1 influenza vaccine became available for Sydney’s age group a week after she contracted the disease. Sydney and her family shared their story with the hope that another child doesn’t have to suffer from a disease that can be prevented.

“I shudder to think how much guilt I would feel if I had refused the vaccine and then watched her go through this experience,” said Linda Soto, Sydney’s mom. “Sydney almost died.”

Dr. Carol J. Baker, executive director of the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children’s Hospital and one of the books co-authors, says that Sydney is just one example of a child who endured insurmountable pain due to a vaccine-preventable disease. She believes that there are many more children who suffer through similar and sometimes worse pain because they were not vaccinated.

“Through impactful real-life stories of children suffering because they were not protected by vaccines, this book helps to educate and inform parents in a way that mere statistics cannot,” said Baker who recently served as chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We’re telling parents that scientific studies have proven that these vaccines are indeed safe and save lives.”

Along with pandemic H1N1 influenza, the other diseases that are a focus in the book are human papillomavirus, meningococcal meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough) and seasonal influenza.
In addition to Baker, co-authors of “Vaccine-Preventable Disease: The Forgotten Story” include Dr. Julie A. Boom and Rachel M. Cunningham. Boom is director of infant and childhood immunization for the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children’s Hospital. Cunningham is the immunization registry and educational specialist at Texas Children’s.

More than 3,000 copies of the Spanish book and 80,000 copies of the English book have been distributed to pediatricians and school nurses across the country and internationally. Copies of the book are available for purchase at vaccine.texaschildrens.org, with an educational poster series also offered. Additional information about vaccines can also be found on the Web site. All proceeds from the sale of vaccine books and posters go directly toward the cost of producing future editions. The Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children’s Hospital does not profit monetarily from this project.

About the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research
The Vaccine Awareness and Research Center at Texas Children’s Hospital promotes healthier children and families. This is done by providing parents and health care professionals with the latest information and recommendations on vaccines for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women and adults through its Web site, www.vaccine.texaschildrens.org and by conducting research that contributes to effective vaccine delivery models. An ongoing program, the center is the creation of four Texas Children’s Hospital physicians who are experts in the fields of vaccine education and research, pediatrics, infectious diseases and adolescent medicine.

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is ranked in the top 10 best children’s hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Texas Children’s also operates the nation’s largest primary pediatric care network, with over 40 offices throughout the greater Houston community. Texas Children’s has embarked on a $1.5 billion expansion, Vision 2010, which includes a neurological research institute, a comprehensive obstetrics facility focusing on high risk births, and a community hospital in suburban West Houston. Get the latest Texas Children’s news on Twitter: twitter.com/texaschildrens