As a parent, you want to protect your children from the things that can harm them. Keeping up to date with their vaccinations is one of the easiest ways to help protect them against common and eradicated diseases. Parents can learn about the importance of childhood vaccinations at Saint Francis Medical Center's upcoming community education event. Scott R. Keller, MD, pediatrician on staff at Saint Francis, will present "Childhood Vaccines" Wednesday, September 10 at 6 pm in the Saint Francis Conference Center.

Keller will share important information with parents detailing what vaccines are and why children need them, what vaccines are available and childhood vaccine schedules. He will also address myths surrounding childhood vaccines.

Children typically begin receiving vaccinations at age 2 and receive what people call the "kindergarten shots" between ages 4 and 6. The kindergarten shots are mostly booster vaccines for immunizations children have already received.

"Vaccinations have done an excellent job preventing many serious conditions and diseases," says Keller. "Some parents may hesitate to vaccinate their children because of the pain associated with receiving so many shots at once, but it is really the best thing for them in the long run."

For more information or to R.S.V.P. for this free event, open to the community, call Saint Francis at 573-331-5877.