By: Gabriella Pierce, MD
The Impact of Vaccination on Children’s Health & Safety
Vaccinations are an extremely effective way to protect children from life-threatening or disabling illnesses and are estimated by the World Health Organization to have saved 154 million lives in the last 50 years. However, declining vaccination rates have caused recent outbreaks of illness, such as measles and pertussis, which puts the health and safety of all children at risk.
Understanding Immunization & How It Works
Vaccines work by introducing the immune system to a killed or weakened part of a virus or bacteria (called an antigen) so the body can produce its own antibodies to protect against that illness. Vaccines have been vigorously researched to ensure the ingredients used to create them are safe and well-tolerated. However, vaccine misinformation, especially on social media, has caused many parents to feel overwhelmed with finding trustworthy sources to learn about vaccinations.
Parent’s Frequently Asked Questions about Vaccinations
What are common vaccine side effects?
Most vaccine side effects are mild and resolve quickly. Children may have soreness or redness at the injection site, a fever, or fatigue. Some vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR), may cause a rash. All of these are expected and normal, because it indicates that the immune system is responding to the vaccine. It is not an allergic reaction to the vaccine itself.
Is it safe to get several vaccines at once?
From the instant a baby is born, it is exposed to countless germs in the environment and begins to create antibodies against those germs for protection. Babies’ immune systems, while new, are well equipped to handle exposure to multiple antigens at once because that is what happens in real life. There is no research evidence that children have worse side effects or less effective immunity when vaccines are grouped together.
Should I use a delayed vaccine schedule?
The recommended childhood vaccine schedule was carefully created to protect children against illness at the times they are most at risk of having severe complications. An infant who develops pertussis may have severe breathing problems or heart failure, whereas an adult may have a more mild infection. Therefore, delaying vaccination is not recommended as it only increases the risk of exposure at times when protection is critical. No research has shown any added benefit of giving these vaccines at later ages.
Why do many vaccines require several doses?
Repeated exposures to an antigen teach the immune system to make antibodies that are long-lasting. Giving booster doses therefore increases the amount of protection provided by a vaccine because the body learns to always be ready to recognize and respond to that antigen.
Do vaccines cause autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders?
Many research studies both in the United States and in other countries have repeatedly shown no connection between vaccination and developmental disorders like autism. Vaccines do provide protection against illnesses that can cause brain injury and in turn developmental delays as children grow.
Have Questions About Vaccines? We’re Here to Help!
The providers at the Harmon-y Pediatric Clinic are eager to discuss these and any other questions about vaccinations. You can reach your child’s OKCIC pediatric provider at (405) 948-4900 ext. 633, or explore trusted resources like HealthyChildren.org and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center.
