Skip Sidebar navigation and go to main page content

A A PRINT

Clinical Services | Immunizations | Vaccines for Children

Immunization Reasons

 

 

 

When

was the

last time

your child

had polio?

A Look magazine photo circa 1950 of a child with polio.

 

When was the last time your child had diphtheria or tetanus or measles or meningitis? These diseases were once common illnesses of childhood, known to doctors and dreaded by parents. There is a reason why many doctors have never seen a case of HIB meningitis, measles or polio. There's a reason why pertussis is not considered in the differential diagnosis of a cough illness. That reason is the widespread use of immunizations, starting very early in life. Immunizations have made a profound difference in the way we view infancy and childhood.

 

Why do we immunize infants?

Infants are most at risk of serious complications and death from these diseases. It often takes several "primer doses" for the body to form sustained antibodies, and these need to be in place to protect the baby as soon as possible.

An infant's immune system is intact at birth and able to recognize and form antibodies to dead and inactivated bacteria and viruses without getting the disease. Babies come equipped with passive antibodies from their mothers, which offer some protection immediately after birth. But this immunity wanes and needs to be renewed through immunization and the formation of active circulating antibodies.

There is no evidence that multiple shots overload the immune system and weaken it. Even infant immune systems are designed to handle and respond to the many assaults on it simply by existing in the environment.

 

Is it safe to vaccinate infants?

Vaccines have been thoroughly tested, especially since they are given to such vulnerable individuals. Their manufacture and components are closely scrutinized by the Food and Drug Administration. Side effects are reported to the Centers for Disease Control for investigation through VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System).

Safety is paramount. Several vaccines (notably DTP and oral polio) have been replaced by even safer vaccines because of concerns over real and perceived side effects. Rotavirus vaccine was removed from the vaccine schedule due to reported cases of small intestine blockages after the vaccine. Questions of safety are thoroughly investigated with multiple studies to try to duplicate results of perceived harm.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has never been shown to have a relationship with immunization other than that immunizations are started at the age in which SIDS is most common. In fact, reported cases of SIDS have been found to be caused by pertussis. SIDS predates vaccination by about 3,000 years. The incidence of SIDS has been dramatically reduced by putting infants on their backs to sleep.

 

Do vaccines really work?

For the vast majority, vaccines prevent disease with minimal discomfort or adverse reactions. Even more pronounced reactions, such as inconsolable crying or limpness following immunizations, are frightening but resolve without harm. A few infants have a severe systemic reaction to the vaccine and should receive no further doses. They will need to be protected from disease by immunity in the rest of the community. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to predict which infants will have reactions, but it must be said that these reactions are very rare.

 

Is is safe not to immunize?

Although the diseases for which we immunize infants have become rare in the United States, they are still all too common in the rest of the world. The world does not share our wealth and ability to provide vaccines for its citizens. Since we hold that wealth, we are able to go to those countries and bring the diseases back to our country. The world's diseases could again spread among our under-immunized population. This scenario has been played out in England, Japan and other countries that have cut down on immunizations because of inflated fears of safety. Ask yourself if you are willing to put your child at risk of disease that could be safely prevented.

 

Links to more information:

 

 

 

 



Skip Footer Navigation