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| Vaccine Safety Information |
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The Safety and Importance of Immunizations
It is natural for parents to question the safety and necessity of vaccinations particularly with media questioning the safety of vaccines. The most common concern is the question of a link between vaccinations and autism. Although these stories are heart wrenching, they are anecdotal and not supported by scientific evidence.
As your pediatricians, we feel it our responsibility to inform and educate you as to why we recommend immunizations and assure you that we thoroughly weigh the benefits against the potential side effects based on scientific evidence and clinical trials before we recommend them to you.
Historically, we know immunizations save not only a few lives, but entire communities. If we ask our grandparents, who remember polio and small pox, they will share stories of thousands of people affected by these deadly diseases. With the advent of immunizations small pox has been eliminated and polio is very rare. In our own lifetime experience in pediatrics, we have seen Hemophilus Influenza and Strep Pneumonia meningitis kill many children and devastate many more. Since the advent of HIB and Prevnar vaccines, we rarely see such cases of meningitis anymore. The media does not report the millions of children who are spared the effects of these horrible diseases because of vaccinations. Many of these diseases still remain a serious threat to our children, and that is why it is so important to vaccinate.
Important facts and myths:
• Myth-vaccines cause autism. Fact: There is NO evidence that vaccines cause autism. It was an ugly rumor started in England that has since been disproven. There are numerous studies in multiple countries showing no connection. This topic has been reviewed independently by different groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine, and all groups agree there is no evidence that shows there is a connection. Unfortunately we do not know the cause for autism and there has been a rise in cases, largely due to changes in classification. Some of the newer research is looking at genetics and a multitude of other factors.
• Myth- MMR vaccine is directly related to autism. Fact: A recent large trial in Canada showed a group of children who DID NOT have the MMR vaccine had a HIGHER rate of autism.
• Myth – Vaccines still contain thimerasol which may lead to autism. Fact: Thimerasol (a mercury containing preservative) has been eliminated from all routine childhood vaccines. Only certain adult flu vaccines contain thimerasol. (concern was not a link to autism rather a question by the FDA whether it would be too much of a mercury exposure for infants) There is no evidence linking Thimerasol as a cause of autism.
• Myth- Get vaccines one or two at a time. Fact: Splitting up the number of vaccines a child gets has not been shown to decrease side effects and puts the child at risk in the meantime of getting a preventable disease and it is more costly and involves more discomfort for your child.
• Myth: It is better to get Chicken Pox. Fact: Chicken Pox is a disease which causes a significant number of complications including staph skin infections, pneumonia, strep infections, and encephalitis ( infection of the brain)
• Myth- Get measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine separate. Fact: Splitting up MMR into separate components has not been shown to reduce side effects and once again delaying protection against disease , adding expense and discomfort.
The Doctors at North Scottsdale Pediatrics share your concern for your child’s health and safety and are conscientious in the review of vaccine safety and necessity prior to our recommending them. We feel strongly that vaccinations make a big difference in the prevention of these devastating diseases. In areas of the country that have seen more parents opt out of vaccines, there have been disturbing reports of a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. It is our strong recommendation that your children receive all necessary vaccines in a timely manner, and we do not support delaying or splitting up vaccinations.
For more detailed information and further questions, please visit the web site www.immunizationinfo.org. This is a great non biased web site with a parent section.
There is also some book references for parents:
Offit PA, Bell LM. Vaccines, What Every Parent Should Know. New York, NY: IDG Books, 1999
Humiston SG, Good, C. Vaccinating Your Child: Questions and Answers for the Concerned Parent .Atlanta, GA : Peachtree Publishers; 2003
These books are available on our website bookstore.
We would be happy to discuss any questions at your child’s well visit.
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