We asked our Director of Pediatrics, Dr. Cacciola, to address the most frequently asked questions and share her expertise on the topic.
Are vaccines safe?
Yes, vaccines are very safe. Like any medicine, vaccines can cause side effects. But they tend to be very minor, such as a sore arm or mild fever, and will go away in a day or so. More serious side effects are rare. A lot of studies have been done around the world over the last 30 years showing that these vaccines are safe and not connected to diabetes, fertility problems, or autism.
Can the shots be delayed or spread out over a longer period?
It is urged not to delay your shots. Babies and young children get sick and die from the same sicknesses that vaccines can prevent, so it is vital to get their shots as soon as you can. The schedule is designed to work best with your child’s system at certain ages. There is no research that supports spreading out their shots and leaving your child not protected.
Does it overwhelm a child’s system to get more than one shots a visit?
No. Infants and children fight off germs each day by playing, eating, and breathing. Their system fights those germs and keeps their body healthy. The number of germs that kids fight each day is somewhere between 2,000 and 6,000. The number of germs on the vaccine schedule is 150. By using the schedule they can be protected without over loading their system.
Haven’t we gotten rid of most of these diseases in the United States?
Some of these diseases like whooping cough and chicken pox are still common in the US. Other diseases like Polio are no longer common. But if we stopped vaccines, the few cases that are in the US can grow very fast. While some are uncommon in the US some are common other parts of the world. Children who do not get all their shots and come in contact to the disease can become very sick and can spread it to through their close ones.
I’ve heard that vaccines can cause autism. Is this true?
No, there is not a link between vaccines and autism (a condition that affects the brain and child growth) So, how did the idea that vaccines play a role get started? Much of the blame lies with a study published in 1998 that suggested that the MMR vaccine might cause autism. Since then, many studies have shown that there is no link between vaccines and autism. The research used in that 1998 study was found to be false, the doctor who wrote it lost his license, and the medical journal that published it retracted the paper (this means that they believe it never should have been published).
I don’t want my child to take the flu shot because I’m afraid they will get the flu from it.
The flu shot can’t give you the flu. The shot has a dead version of the flu virus and cannot give you the disease. Some people will report feeling tired, achy, or feverish after getting the flu shot. This is your body’s normal response to the shot; your body is making the agents that will fight off sickness if you are in contact with the virus. This only lasts for a day or so, while flu symptoms can last for a week to 10 days.
I still have more questions about vaccines. Where can I get more info?
Your child’s provider is your best source. Book an appointment with a CHN provider right now to learn more about vaccination for your kids. Let’s work together to keep our children and communities healthy and thriving.