Childhood immunizations: Always a good idea

[Guest guest]

Childhood immunizations: Always a good idea

May 14, 1999

Web posted at: 4:01 PM EDT (2001 GMT)

www.cnn.com/HEALTH/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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In this story:

The truth about immunization

Myths and misconceptions

Debunking the myths

Free vaccines for all

RELATEDS

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By Daphne

(WebMD) -- Surprising as it is, there are still some parents who struggle

over whether or not to have their children vaccinated. Here's a look at the

facts -- and the falsehoods -- about immunization.

The truth about immunization

Most of the shots your child receives in the first few years of life provide

lifelong protection (immunity) against deadly childhood diseases such as

polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and other infections. Half a century ago,

these diseases caused a great deal of childhood death and disability

throughout the world. In the United States today, we rarely see these

diseases. In other parts of the world, however -- where vaccinations are not

widely used -- these diseases still affect many children.

Myths and misconceptions

Even knowing those facts, some parents still decide not to give their

children the recommended childhood vaccines. Several myths and

misconceptions lead parents to make this decision:

My child might have a bad reaction to the vaccination shot.

My child might develop the disease that the immunization is supposed to

prevent.

Since everyone else is vaccinating their children, my child won't be exposed

to infections.

I can't afford to vaccinate my child.

Debunking the myths

In reality, most reactions to vaccines are very mild and last only a few

hours. Symptoms include fever, fussiness, and pain in the area where the

shot was given. Your healthcare provider can usually suggest remedies to

make your children more comfortable and get them through this time.

The occurrence of disease caused by vaccinations is rare. Each year in the

United States, only a small number of children come down with polio or

encephalitis (a brain infection) or have an allergic (hypersensitive)

reaction after getting their vaccines. These instances are very rare. Last

year, for example, only about seven cases of polio in the United States were

thought to have been caused by vaccines. This is a ratio of approximately

one child to 1.2 million children vaccinated. And most of those seven

children had some other disease that compromised their immune systems and

allowed them to become infected by polio.

While it's true that vaccines contain bacteria or viruses, the amount

injected into your child in a vaccine is tiny compared with the amount of

bacteria that enters your child's body every day while playing with other

children or sucking on fingers and toys.

Vaccinations only make your child's immune system stronger. There is no

evidence to suggest that being vaccinated will make your child more likely

to catch colds, flu bugs, or other illnesses.

Free vaccines for all

Sadly, some parents are not aware that vaccines are available free of charge

to every child in the United States. While some private clinics refuse to

treat uninsured children, each county should have a vaccination program for

children regardless of age, ethnicity, or citizenship status. If you don't

know where you can get your child immunized for free, call the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline at 1-800-232-2522 (English) or

1-800-232-0233 (Spanish). These hotlines operate Monday through Friday, 8

a.m. to 11 p.m. EST.

Any parent who is uncertain about whether or not to immunize their child

should consult with their healthcare provider. Many myths about immunization

can be put to rest by getting the facts. Parents who learn these facts

usually decide that immunizing their children is the safer and healthier

choice.

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, this is my new email address, changed over from

medinaerth@....

My thoughts on the good idea article:

<<In reality, most reactions to vaccines are very mild and last only a few

hours. Symptoms include fever, fussiness, and pain in the area where the

shot was given. Your healthcare provider can usually suggest remedies to

make your children more comfortable and get them through this time.>>

She doesn't talk about the reactions that are not very mild. Even if she

said vaccines are 99% safe and effective, shouldn't we get the story on the

other 1% as well? Perhaps they don't mention the risks for fear of

frightening parents...but parents have a right to know both risks and

benefits.

<<This is a ratio of approximately one child to 1.2 million children

vaccinated. And most of those seven

children had some other disease that compromised their immune systems and

allowed them to become infected by polio.>>

Wouldn't the physician know what the contraindications are in giving the

polio vaccine? Perhaps if proper research was done, those 7 children would

not have contracted the disease.

<<Vaccinations only make your child's immune system stronger. There is no

evidence to suggest that being vaccinated will make your child more likely

to catch colds, flu bugs, or other illnesses.>>

Has a study been done on unvaccinated children and childhood illnesses

compared to vaccinated children and childhood illnesses?

My child is unvaccinated and does not experience " normal " childhood

illnesses. Perhaps the vaccines do cause these illnesses.

<<Any parent who is uncertain about whether or not to immunize their child

should consult with their healthcare provider. Many myths about

immunization

can be put to rest by getting the facts. Parents who learn these facts

usually decide that immunizing their children is the safer and healthier

choice.>>

Seems like the facts, according to this article, are having the benefits

(if any) explained to no end and merely stating that the risks

are so minimal that they aren't worth mentioning in great detail.

----------

> From: Mom2Q <mom2q@...>

> AA Vaccine list <vaccinationsonelist>

> Subject: Childhood immunizations: Always a good idea

> Date: Sunday, May 16, 1999 5:41 PM

>

> From: " Mom2Q " <mom2q@...>

>

>

>

>

> Childhood immunizations: Always a good idea

> May 14, 1999

> Web posted at: 4:01 PM EDT (2001 GMT)

> www.cnn.com/HEALTH/

>

>

>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

> ----

> In this story:

>

> The truth about immunization

>

> Myths and misconceptions

>

> Debunking the myths

>

> Free vaccines for all

>

> RELATEDS

>

>

>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

> ----

>

>

> By Daphne

>

> (WebMD) -- Surprising as it is, there are still some parents who struggle

> over whether or not to have their children vaccinated. Here's a look at

the

> facts -- and the falsehoods -- about immunization.

>

> The truth about immunization

>

> Most of the shots your child receives in the first few years of life

provide

> lifelong protection (immunity) against deadly childhood diseases such as

> polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and other infections. Half a century ago,

> these diseases caused a great deal of childhood death and disability

> throughout the world. In the United States today, we rarely see these

> diseases. In other parts of the world, however -- where vaccinations are

not

> widely used -- these diseases still affect many children.

>

> Myths and misconceptions

>

> Even knowing those facts, some parents still decide not to give their

> children the recommended childhood vaccines. Several myths and

> misconceptions lead parents to make this decision:

>

>

> My child might have a bad reaction to the vaccination shot.

>

>

> My child might develop the disease that the immunization is supposed to

> prevent.

>

>

> Since everyone else is vaccinating their children, my child won't be

exposed

> to infections.

>

>

> I can't afford to vaccinate my child.

>

> Debunking the myths

>

> In reality, most reactions to vaccines are very mild and last only a few

> hours. Symptoms include fever, fussiness, and pain in the area where the

> shot was given. Your healthcare provider can usually suggest remedies to

> make your children more comfortable and get them through this time.

>

> The occurrence of disease caused by vaccinations is rare. Each year in

the

> United States, only a small number of children come down with polio or

> encephalitis (a brain infection) or have an allergic (hypersensitive)

> reaction after getting their vaccines. These instances are very rare.

Last

> year, for example, only about seven cases of polio in the United States

were

> thought to have been caused by vaccines. This is a ratio of approximately

> one child to 1.2 million children vaccinated. And most of those seven

> children had some other disease that compromised their immune systems and

> allowed them to become infected by polio.

>

> While it's true that vaccines contain bacteria or viruses, the amount

> injected into your child in a vaccine is tiny compared with the amount of

> bacteria that enters your child's body every day while playing with other

> children or sucking on fingers and toys.

>

> Vaccinations only make your child's immune system stronger. There is no

> evidence to suggest that being vaccinated will make your child more

likely

> to catch colds, flu bugs, or other illnesses.

>

> Free vaccines for all

>

> Sadly, some parents are not aware that vaccines are available free of

charge

> to every child in the United States. While some private clinics refuse to

> treat uninsured children, each county should have a vaccination program

for

> children regardless of age, ethnicity, or citizenship status. If you

don't

> know where you can get your child immunized for free, call the Centers

for

> Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline at 1-800-232-2522 (English)

or

> 1-800-232-0233 (Spanish). These hotlines operate Monday through Friday, 8

> a.m. to 11 p.m. EST.

>

> Any parent who is uncertain about whether or not to immunize their child

> should consult with their healthcare provider. Many myths about

immunization

> can be put to rest by getting the facts. Parents who learn these facts

> usually decide that immunizing their children is the safer and healthier

> choice.

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> ONElist: the best source for group communications.

>

> Join a new list today!

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