8 Myths And Facts About Vaccination

Most parents have their own reservations about vaccination that stems from the fact that certain rumors set the base for it. Here are 8 myths and facts about vaccination.

Myths and facts about vaccination:

Myth 1: Diseases disappear when we resort to better hygiene and sanitation; vaccination is not necessary.

Fact:  False. Those diseases that we have been vaccinated against will return with the stop of the vaccination program; if people are not vaccinated, diseases that have become uncommon, such as polio and measles, will quickly reappear. Better hygiene, hand-washing and clean water can help protect people from infectious diseases though they would spread however clean we are.

Myth 2: Vaccines have several damaging and long-term side-effects; vaccinations can even be fatal.

Fact:  False. Vaccines are very safe and its reactions like a sore arm or mild fever are minor and temporary, with very serious health events being extremely rare when carefully monitored and investigated. The benefits of from vaccination greatly outweighing the risks from it. 

Myth 3: The combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) and the vaccine against poliomyelitis cause sudden infant death syndrome. 

Fact: No, there is no such link though these vaccines are administered at a time when babies can suffer sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), with SID just being coincidental; it could have occurred even if no vaccination was given. The vaccination against these 4 life threatening diseases could help prevent death or serious disability. 

Myth 4: There is no reason to be vaccinated for vaccine-preventable diseases that are almost eradicated in ones country. 

Fact: False, though vaccine preventable diseases have become eradicated in many countries, the infectious agents that cause them continue to circulate in some parts of the world and could cross geographic borders and infect anyone who is not protected. The two key reasons to get vaccinated are to protect ourselves and to protect those around us. 

Myth 5: Vaccines contain mercury which is dangerous. 

Fact: False. Thiomersal an organic, mercury-containing compound is added to some vaccines that come in multi-dose vials as a preservative. There is no evidence to suggest that the amount of thiomersal used in vaccines poses a health risk.

Myth 6: Vaccine-preventable childhood illnesses are just an unfortunate fact of life. 

Fact: False, illnesses like measles, mumps and rubella are serious and can lead to severe complications in both children and adults, including pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, diarrhea, ear infections, congenital rubella syndrome and death. All these diseases and suffering can be prevented with vaccines; the absence of which leaves children unnecessarily vulnerable.

Myth 7: Giving a child more than one vaccine at a time can increase the risk of harmful side-effects and overload the child’s immune system. 

Fact: False. Children are exposed to several hundred foreign substances that trigger an immune response every day, with a child being exposed to far more antigens from a common cold or sore throat than they are from vaccines. Key advantages of having several vaccines at once is fewer clinic visits that saves time and money, and children are more likely to complete the recommended vaccinations on schedule. 

Myth 8: The vaccination against influenza isn’t very effective. 

Fact: False. Influenza kills many people like pregnant women, small children, elderly people with poor health and anyone with a chronic condition, like asthma or heart disease every year. Vaccinating pregnant women has the added benefit of protecting their newborns; it also offers immunity to the three most prevalent strains circulating in any given season. It is the best way to reduce your chances of severe flu and of spreading it to others.

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