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Shedding Light on Common Myths About Vaccines

By David Cummings

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 04Mar2009 Word count: 575 Viewed: 253 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Recently the media has been putting children's vaccinations under a microscope. Many claim that vaccines are no longer necessary, and others claim that they do more harm than good by causing serious conditions, such as autism. What is the truth about vaccines? Is it possible to know for certain that vaccines are safe for your child? While there may not be complete answers to all of your questions about vaccines, clearing up a few common myths may help you look at the issue more clearly.

Myth 1 - These Diseases Are Gone So We Don't Need Vaccines

Many parents who have chosen not to vaccinate their children do so under the belief that the diseases that the vaccines protect against are no longer a threat. After all, we no longer see the devastating effects of conditions such as polio, so obviously this condition has been stopped. The fact is that these diseases do still exist. While they may be almost gone in developed countries, all it takes is one plane ride to expose someone to a potentially deadly threat. As the numbers of people who choose not to vaccinate their children rises, so will the threat that these diseases will return. Recent mumps outbreaks in young adults are an indication that these diseases are still around.

Myth 2 - The Side Effects Are Too Dangerous

Can vaccines cause side effects? Yes, they can. Some children can be allergic to something in the vaccine, and others will have a neurological response to the vaccine and perhaps experience a seizure. So there is a risk when you give your child a vaccine, but these types of reactions are very rare. Most children experience nothing more than a low-grade fever after receiving a vaccine.

The most controversial potential side effect of immunizations is autism. Some parents claim that their children developed autism after receiving a vaccine. While it is true that most autistic children seem to begin exhibiting symptoms around the same time as certain vaccines, there has not yet been any definitive scientific research indicating that vaccines are the definite cause for most children. Children who have never been vaccinated can still develop autism, which indicates there is another underlying cause. In very rare cases, a severe neurological reaction to a vaccine can cause a child to develop a permanent condition such as autism, but vaccines cannot be linked definitively to most autism cases. The risk of a child getting one of the diseases the vaccines protect against is far higher than the risk of the child developing autism as a result of the vaccine.

Myth 3 - Breastfeeding Means My Child Doesn't Need Vaccines

There is no doubt that breastfeeding provides your baby with important immunities. However, there are some antibodies that are not passed on through breast milk, including serious conditions like polio and diphtheria. Also, the antibodies do not last once your baby is weaned, but the immunity that a vaccine provides is lifelong.

The bottom line about vaccines is that they do carry risks. You cannot be 100 percent sure that your baby will not have a reaction to the vaccine, just as you cannot be 100 percent sure your baby won't have a reaction the first time you feed her eggs or wheat. The danger of the diseases that vaccines protect against is very high, however, so you as a parent must weigh that danger against the risk of the vaccine and make a decision for yourself.

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