Do you find it hard to decide what’s best for your child when it comes to vaccinations?
We know there’s a lot of information out there. We asked Lesta Whalen, MD, a pediatric critical care doctor at Avera, to dispel some common facts about immunizations.
Your provider is a great source to answer questions about safety, side effects and benefits of vaccines at any ages. Avera bases its recommendations for vaccines on research and recommendations from many reliable experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Myth: Vaccines can cause autism.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism. This myth originated from a discredited study that was withdrawn due to flaws and fraud. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other reliable experts emphasize that undermining research on this topic is harmful to children’s health.
Myth: Natural immunity is better than vaccine.
Fact: Immunity through natural infection has serious risks, such as hospitalization and death. Vaccines provide safe protection without those risks.
Myth: Too many vaccines overwhelm the immune system.
Fact: Children are exposed to many germs daily. The amount of antigens (what tells your body there’s something harmful in your system) in vaccines is far less than natural exposure or natural infection. There is no evidence showing the level of antigens in vaccines overwhelm the immune system.
Myth: Vaccines are not needed because diseases are rare.
Fact: Diseases like measles and polio are rare because widespread vaccination works. Without vaccines, these diseases would return rapidly.
Myth: Vaccines include dangerous toxins.
Fact: Ingredients (like preservatives and adjuvants) in vaccines are present in small, safe amounts. Even naturally occurring levels can be higher. The amounts in vaccines are tested for safety.
Myth: Healthy children don’t need vaccines.
Fact: Even healthy children can get seriously sick from vaccine-preventable diseases. They can also spread these diseases to others who may be more at risk. Vaccination protects both individuals and communities.
Myth: Vaccines can give you the disease it protects against.
Fact: Vaccines contain enough of the germ to stimulate the immune system to fight future infection. Inactivated vaccines cannot cause disease. Live-attenuated (weakened) vaccines rarely cause mild symptoms and do not cause the full disease.
Myth: Delaying vaccines is safer.
Fact: Delaying vaccines leaves children vulnerable when they are most at risk. Recommended vaccine schedules are based on evidence on when optimal protection is needed. Delaying vaccines will increase transmission of a vaccine-preventable infection across the general population.
Keep Reading
