By James M. Mick, MD
There are many myths about childhood immunizations, with several propagated by high profile celebrities through TV and the internet. The truth is simple: Vaccines save lives and protect against the spread of disease. I would not recommend childhood immunizations if they were not safe.
If you decide not to immunize your child, you put your child at risk. Your child could catch a disease that is dangerous or deadly. Most childhood vaccines are 90% to 99% effective in preventing disease. And if a vaccinated child does contract a disease, the symptoms are usually less serious than in a child who hasn’t been. There may be mild side effects, like swelling where a shot is given, but they do not last long. Rarely are side effects serious.
All vaccines are tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The data get reviewed again by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians before a vaccine is recommended.
To make sure the vaccine continues to be safe, the FDA and the CDC created the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). All doctors must report serious side effects of vaccines to VAERS so they can be studied. Parents can also file reports with VAERS. If a vaccine is no longer safe, it is no longer given. If there are new side effects, safety alerts are sent out to your health care providers.
More information on vaccines, their safety, ingredients and history from reliable sources can be found at www.ponderosapediatrics/resources/immunizations.
