As parents, it's normal to want what's best for our children. When it comes to having them vaccinated, many of us have questions. Yet there are many myths surrounding vaccination and these tend to stir up controversy among the general public.
In reality, however, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh any potential risks. Over the past 50 years, in fact, vaccines have probably saved more lives in Canada than any other public health measure.
Why have your children vaccinated?
Children are born with natural immunity. This immunity protects them from certain diseases, but disappears within the first year of life. Many serious diseases like diphtheria and whooping cough still exist elsewhere in the world and can be brought back by travellers.
By having your child vaccinated, you are providing him with the best defence against serious diseases, while also protecting others. The more people that are vaccinated against a disease, the more likely it is to disappear.
It's also important to follow the immunization schedule as carefully as possible and make sure your child receives boosters (additional dosages) of the same vaccine so his body can manufacture antibodies to fight the disease.
Are vaccines safe? Do they contain dangerous additives?
The vaccines available today are safe and rarely cause serious adverse effects. Remember that the complications from the diseases vaccines are meant to prevent are much more dangerous to your child's health than the vaccine itself.
Aluminum salts and mercury have often been identified as culprits. But since 2001, vaccines manufactured in Canada do not contain any mercury. As for aluminum salts, they are added to enhance the immune response and reduce the number of antigens needed. Their safety for human health has already been proven. Furthermore, aluminum is naturally present in air, water and food, not to mention breast milk.
Do multiple injections overload the immune system?
Every day, our body comes into contact with millions of germs and our immune system is constantly fighting to protect us from them. It therefore has no problem assimilating the small number of antigens (attenuated or dead viruses and bacteria) found in vaccines. In fact, the number of antigens has been considerably reduced over time. For example, the series of vaccines recommended at 2 months of age contains only 34 antigens now, compared to several thousand before.
Can the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine cause autism?
According to many studies, there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autistic disorders in children.
Can a child develop side effects after receiving a vaccine?
Approximately 15 to 20 percent of children will get a fever after being vaccinated. In such cases, acetaminophen is recommended. If the fever lasts more than 48 hours, however, see a doctor. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine given at 12 and 18 months can cause a fever that may last 5 to 12 days.
There can be other minor reactions, such as redness, sensitivity and swelling at the injection site. This is not dangerous and will generally disappear in a few days.
For more information, talk to your pharmacist!