Survey: Moms know teens' need vaccines

CLEVELAND, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Four out of five mothers of pre-teens and teenagers know their children need additional vaccines, a U.S. survey indicated.

The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive with support from Merck & Co. Inc. from June 2-8, among 424 female parents/legal guardians who have one or more children ages 11-18. No margin of error was provided.

"These results mirror what I see in my own practice -- a lot of adolescents not up to date on their vaccines, in spite of their parents awareness of the need for them," Dr. Lolita McDavid, a pediatrician practicing at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, says in a statement.

"Taking your kids -- including pre-teens and teens -- for an annual check-up should be as routine as buying them school supplies. I encourage all moms to schedule an appointment with their child's healthcare professional today and to visit www.cdc.gov to learn more about the vaccines recommended for pre-teens and teens."

As children approach adolescence they can develop risks for certain diseases and protection from some childhood vaccines can wear off over time, McDavid says.