For parents, few topics are as controversial as vaccinations. Vaccinations or not? There is nothing more frustrating than meeting a pleasant mom on the playground and then finding out that her views on this matter do not coincide with yours.
In the past, vaccinations were given salvage status, but recently they have been viewed with skepticism. How to separate fact from fiction? Read the specific data to help you figure out what the truth is and make an informed decision.
Vaccines save lives
Vaccines are a familiar part of healthcare, people have already forgotten that they once became a real revolution in saving lives. In the 1900s, every tenth child died in the first year of life due to infectious diseases. Thanks to vaccinations, it was possible to get rid of smallpox. The risk of polio has also decreased. The problem is that people now take this protection for granted. You don't know anyone who would die from polio or measles, so you don't even think about how dangerous these diseases are and how quickly they will return if vaccines disappear.
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In many countries, these viruses are still present. If people stop vaccinating, old epidemics will become a problem again. Due to the fact that not everyone is aware of this, it is thought that you can take the risk and refuse vaccination. Twenty-five percent of parents think vaccines can compromise a child's immunity. There is no scientific evidence for this - it's just a stereotype.
Vaccine effects may not last forever
If you were vaccinated as a child, chances are you're not too worried about getting polio. However, research has shown that not all vaccines are guaranteed lifelong effects.
If you work in an area where protection against various diseases is of great importance, you will most likely need to repeat vaccinations to protect yourself completely. For example, in 2006, there was a mumps epidemic in the USA - most of the victims received injections in childhood, but in adulthood their immunity weakened.
Vaccinations are free
When you vaccinate your child, you are not just protecting them. You are also helping prevent disease outbreaks in schools. It is important to vaccinate as many people as possible, which is why sometimes the health care system and insurance companies do their part and vaccinations become free. You can clarify information about this with your doctor, who will tell you which procedures you may not pay for.
Vaccinations do not cause autism
Many people are afraid of vaccines because some claim they cause autism. In fact, this is just an opinion, not a real fact. It is worth repeating again: you cannot risk a child's health because of a stereotype. Note the research: There is no definitive evidence that vaccines cause autism.
This information began to spread in 2000, when parents began reporting that their children were being diagnosed shortly after receiving the vaccine. Doctors said there was no direct link, but the myth had already been created. All this is just gossip, which has no confirmation.
Monitor your vaccinations closely during pregnancy
During pregnancy, you have a lot of questions and thoughts. Whether to recognize the gender? When to get back to work? Among other things, you should definitely remember about vaccinations. It is important that both mother and baby are vaccinated. The benefits of vaccinating pregnant women outweigh the potential risks.
If you are vaccinated against diphtheria during pregnancy, your baby will also be protected from this disease. However, there are also vaccines that should be avoided. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
Some side effects are quite normal
It is important to remember that some side effects after vaccination are completely normal and even to be expected. It would be strange if, after puncturing the skin with a needle and getting liquid into the muscle, your body would not react in any way. Pain and redness at the site of the vaccination are normal consequences. The manifestation of a slight edema and the appearance of a bruise is appropriate, as a rule, this disappears in a couple of days. If you have a baby, you may notice that after the vaccine, he has a slight fever and worse mood.
Dangerous diseases are still around
Modern vaccines are very effective, so people don't even realize how close the danger is. If enough people refuse to get vaccinated, the diseases that society has managed to cope with will come back. Children who are not immune are twenty-two times more likely to develop mumps. Unfortunately, even vaccinated children are in danger, because there is no one hundred percent protection.
Viruses can kill
The focus has shifted to vaccines and their safety, and why they are needed has been forgotten. Vaccines help prevent diseases that could kill a person. Now this is taken for granted, but without vaccinations, the world would look completely different. In countries where vaccinations are not available, people are still dying from diseases forgotten in developed countries, and the number of victims is measured in hundreds of thousands. Hepatitis B kills a million people every year. Many people do not worry about polio either, however, in the absence of a vaccine, there is a high probability of dire consequences - the development of the disease can cause paralysis.
Thimerosal is removed from vaccines
Some opponents of vaccines claim that they are dangerous due to certain ingredients. The vaccine contains a weakened or dead version of the virus so that the body recognizes it and produces antibodies. Then these antibodies protect a person from such viruses. In addition, vaccines contain preservatives. Thimerosal is one of them, it contains mercury and is used to preserve vaccines. It was found that after receiving several vaccinations in a row, the amount of mercury is exceeded. Therefore, now thimerosal is no longer used. However, scientific evidence does not confirm that this is harmful. The composition of the vaccinations is changed just in case.
Vaccine substances affect us every day
Vaccines also contain adjuvants, which are adjuvants that stimulate the immune system. They signal the body that it is time to start producing antibodies that protect a person when exposed to viruses. Adjuvants allow smaller doses of vaccines to be used. Opponents of vaccination worry that among these substances is aluminum. Of course, aluminum can indeed be toxic, but not in the amount in which it is present in vaccinations. It is important to remember that we are exposed to aluminum on a daily basis, even if we are not vaccinated. This substance is found in food, air, soil and water. It is not dangerous to be vaccinated because its content is minimal.
We are on the brink of victory over AIDS
Many vaccines have been around for decades, but new ones are emerging. For example, a cheap and safe vaccine to prevent AIDS may soon be available. Now it is being tested in South Africa.
There is an Ebola vaccine
Recently, a 100% effective Ebola vaccine has been invented. After the terrible epidemics of 2014, scientists immediately began testing. The vaccine has not yet been officially approved, but it will soon be available for use.
Not everyone needs vaccines
Vaccines can save lives, but not everyone needs them. If you have the strongest reaction to them, you should avoid injections. People with weak immunity should not be vaccinated.
What if you have a reaction?
Violent reactions to the vaccine are rare. If you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor. If you experience any strange side effects, contact emergency medical help.
Marina Ilyushenko