Vaccination protects children from several diseases and reassures parents that their children are safe. Along with this reassurance, parents are also very anxious about the side effects of vaccines. There is a lot of misinformation and misconception prevalent among people regarding vaccination. Due to this, it is seen that several children are not being immunized. This has made children vulnerable to several contagious and dreadful diseases. Through this article, we would be clarifying misconceptions about vaccination.
Does vaccination cause dangerous reactions or side effects?
There are some reactions or side effects to some vaccines but luckily very few of them are dangerous. The major reaction of vaccination is an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. But this reaction is very rare. Its chances of occurrence are 1 in million vaccinations. There are very rare side effects of reaction to vaccination that are fatal and cause death or any disability.
It has been heard that there are some adverse events of vaccination. Are these adverse events and dangerous reaction similar?
Adverse events are those unfavorable health condition, which happen after vaccination. It is not necessary that the adverse event is always caused by the vaccine or vaccination.
As vaccines are given to billions of children every year, adverse health conditions might happen to them coincidentally just after the vaccination is given. This does not mean that they are always caused by the vaccine. For example, at times a pregnant woman may suffer miscarriage just after she is vaccinated. It might be a coincidence. So, this does not mean that miscarriage was the adverse effect of the vaccine.
What course of action does the CDC follow when it is informed that a vaccine has led to a severe side effect?
The course of action followed by CDS depends on the type of the reaction and side effects. If the adverse reaction is known, then the CDS retrieves detailed data about the patient’s clinical management. The information is documented for further reference. If the adverse effect is not known, then the CDC analyzes their database of adverse reaction to find out any pattern or relation between the vaccine and effect. If some pattern is found, then extensive epidemiological investigation is done on the vaccine under the Vaccine Safety Datalink program of CDC.
Is it true that vaccines might cause autism?
If we look into the scientific evidence, then autism is not caused by vaccines. This was confirmed in the report by The Institute of Medicine, IOM, in the year 2004. Since then, no evidence has been found to establish any relation between occurrence of autism and vaccination.
Is it unsafe for children to get several vaccines at the same time?
Scientific data have proved that if multiple vaccines are given together there is no undesirable effect on children and giving simultaneous vaccination is safe. Several studies have proved that the vaccines are effective when given in combination in comparison to when given individually.
Is it safe to give combination vaccines to children?
Since mid of 1940, doctors have been vaccinating children by individual as well as combination vaccines, and since so many years no adverse effects have been seen. Combination vaccines are as effective as when given individually. However, there are few exceptions. One of them is the MMRV vaccine (given for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella). It is seen that febrile seizures can happen more often when this vaccine is given in combination. It is recommended that MMR should be given together and V separately. The physicians should give details regarding the benefits and risks associated with such combination to the parents and then give the vaccine which the parents suggest.
How to recognize a bad reaction?
You should look for extraordinary conditions like excessive weakness or high fever. You should also take into consideration behavioral changes like unresponsiveness or fatigue. Do look closely for any allergic reactions like labored breathing, gruffness or breathlessness, quick heartbeat or giddiness. If any of the above symptoms is seen, consult the doctor immediately.
Should I get my child vaccinated when he/she is ill?
If your child is suffering from mild illness like cold or low fever, you can get the child vaccinated. You can also get the child vaccinated if the child has mild diarrhea. But if the child is suffering from some severe illness, then it is advised that you wait for the illness to be cured.
If the child is taking medicines like steroids or ADHD, do these medicines react with vaccines?
No dangerous reaction of vaccines with medicines like ADHD or steroids has been recorded. But if your child is taking medicines like steroids or ADHD regularly, then it is advised that you consult with the child’s doctor before giving him vaccines.
Is it safe to give vaccines if the immune system of my child is weak?
This decision depends on the level to which the immunity of the child is weakened. Child should not be given live attenuated or live weakened vaccines if he/she is suffering from cancer, leukemia or AIDS. You should consult the doctor before taking any decision on vaccination for these children.
