Understanding the Benefits of Vaccines: An Answer to Common Questions
There has been a lot of conflicting information about vaccines lately. Between headlines, social media and conversations, it’s easy to know what’s true. Together, I’m hoping we can make informed decisions on how to keep your child healthy.
Vaccines and Autism? This claim is entirely false. The harmful myth about a link between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine was started by a scientist who faked his data, the study was discredited, and hundreds of follow-up studies later found no link. They all came to the same conclusion: there is absolutely no connection between vaccines and autism.
Am I overwhelming my child’s immune system? Your baby’s immune system is incredibly hardworking and constantly learning, even in their first few months of life. The immune system is designed to encounter thousands of different germs every single day! Vaccines teach your child’s immune system how to recognize the most dangerous germs, so they are ready when exposed to them. Following the recommended schedule of vaccines helps protect your child from nine serious diseases by just 3 months old. Combined vaccines help prepare your child’s immune system to resist several infections with a single shot instead of multiple sticks. When everyone who can be vaccinated is vaccinated, it’s hard for serious, contagious diseases to spread through child care centers, schools and communities.
Do children receive 80 vaccines? Absolutely not! This is a myth meant to scare parents. It suggests that vaccines could overwhelm a child’s body but now you know that is not how its works. Childhood immunizations protect children from about 20 different diseases by age 18. Some vaccines need more than one dose, space out over time, to work best. When following the recommended schedule, children will get around 30 shots by age 18, plus annual vaccines like the flu shot.
Should I space out vaccines? There is no medical reason to separate or space out vaccines. Just like kids learn to read, their immune systems learn too. Vaccines are like books that teach the immune system to recognize and resist disease. Vaccine timing matters, they work best when your child’s body is ready to respond best. Delaying vaccines leaves your child’s immune system waiting to learn when it could be getting ahead of preventable diseases. More shots and more pediatrician visits just create needless hassle for busy parents. It also increases the risk that kids will miss doses, leaving them and our communities at risk of getting highly contagious, serious illnesses. Combination vaccines have small amounts of other ingredients to prevent contamination and make storage safer. They are all thoroughly tested and leave the body quickly.
Why should I vaccinate my child for hepatitis B? While adults can get hepatitis B from sex or sharing needles, kids can be infected in other ways. We know the virus spreads easily through contact with a few drops of fresh or dried blood or other body fluids. Babies and young children who get hepatitis B can develop serious liver problems, including cancer or even death. Since hospitals began giving the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, childhood infections have dropped by 99% and after receiving all doses, 98% of healthy infants achieve full immunity to the virus. Does aluminum in vaccines cause autism or allergies? There is no evidence to support the claims that autism, neurodevelopmental conditions, or allergies are caused by the tiny amounts of aluminum salts in vaccines. Aluminum salts are found naturally in soil, water and food. When added to vaccines they boost the body’s immune response. This allows for smaller quantity of the vaccine and fewer doses. Our bodies process the small amount of aluminum salts in vaccines the same way as aluminum from food or water. Misleading claims about vaccine ingredients are scare tactics that spark doubt and cause fear.
Do pediatricians received financial benefits for administering vaccines? NO! Pediatricians are among the lowest paid specialties in medicine. We incur significant cost storing, maintaining and administering vaccines, hoping for sufficient reimbursement from insurance companies. Our recommendations are driven by protecting children from serious diseases, not for profit. Please understand that the myself and the majority of Pediatricians truly care about the health and wellbeing of your child. I am honored by the trust families have in me, allowing me to care for their children.
