SHARES
Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system against infectious micro-organisms. However, some micro-organisms can overwhelm the immune system and cause serious illness. Hence, vaccination comes into play by teaching the immune system to recognise and eliminate a micro-organism.
Given due considerations, vaccines are safe and effective in preventing diseases. Vaccine avoids 2 to 3 million deaths each year. In fact, effective vaccination has decreased polio cases by more than 99 % since 1988.
However as parents are more savvy with easy access to information, sometimes controversial, childhood vaccination becomes challenging among sceptical parents.
Common misconceptions among parents
Misconception #1 – Vaccines cause autism.
Childhood vaccination have been falsely correlated with autism spectrum disorder. Autism is a disability that causes developmental problems to communicate, interact, behave and learn in different ways. In 2013, a study found no link between increasing vaccine exposure in the first two years of life with risk of developing autism.
Besides that, there were extensive studies on thimerosal — a mercury compound preservative in vaccines. Between 1999 and 2001, vaccine producers started to remove or reduce thimerosal to trace amounts in most childhood vaccines. This move was part of a national effort to reduce mercury exposure in children. Regardless, research have shown that thimerosal does not cause autism. Currently, the only childhood vaccines containing thimerosal are flu vaccines in multi-dose vials packages. Furthermore thimerosal-free alternatives are also available.
Misconception #2 – Since the diseases have been eliminated, there is no need for vaccination.
Successful vaccination has reduced a good number of preventable diseases to very low levels. Unfortunately, some diseases remain prevalent and epidemic in other parts of the world which lack proper access to vaccines. If sick travellers unknowingly bring these diseases into another country, diseases can spread quickly among unvaccinated populations.
Therefore, vaccination should be compulsory for two reasons: to protect ourselves and the ones around us. Some people cannot receive vaccination because of medical reasons. These include being immunocompromised or having severe allergy towards component of vaccine. These individuals can benefit from herd immunity – being indirectly immune when a large percentage of population becomes immune to the disease.
Misconception #3 – Vaccines cause harmful side effects, illnesses and death.
The Health administration ensures that the general public receive only vaccines after approval from rigorous tests and studies. Hence, they are safe. Most vaccine-side effects are minor and temporary, such as sore arm or mild fever. More serious adverse events rarely occur rarely, at one per thousands to one per millions of doses.
Vaccine-preventable diseases are far more likely to seriously harm a child than the vaccine itself. While any injury or death caused by vaccine is unacceptable, the benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the slight risk.
Misconception #4 – Administering multiple vaccinations simultaneously can overload the immune system.
Children get exposure to many foreign antigens every day. According to a journal report, under normal circumstances, it seems unlikely that the total antigens in childhood vaccines would cause an evident burden on the immune system. Other studies also conclude that administration of combination vaccines is as effective and safe in comparison to single vaccines.
Children should receive all routine childhood vaccines against serious diseases on time. The strategy behind childhood vaccine schedules is to provide protection before age two. Because, spreading out vaccines can result in delays in immunisation.
Misconception #5 – Most people with the disease during outbreaks were from the vaccination group
Paradoxically, reports showed that certain disease outbreaks are more common among those that were vaccinated. This included diseases with effective vaccines, such as measles, which boasts effectiveness of up to 98% when used correctly.
Of course, there is an explanation for the apparent paradox, with two reasons. Firstly, no vaccine is 100 % effective as it merely contains bacteria or viruses that are killed or weakened. This is to render the vaccine safer. Secondly, vaccination immunity may not develop in everybody. As vaccinated individuals vastly outnumber those unvaccinated, it would appear as though most people who develop the disease where vaccinated.
Conclusion
Although it might seem insignificant to refuse vaccination but foregoing vaccination can be dangerous. Not only for your child but also for all those people around: family, schoolmates and friends. If in doubt, consult a doctor.
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by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
