Definition of immunization
Vaccine is a preparation of killed microorganisms, living attenuated organisms, or living fully virulent organisms that is administered to produce or artificially increase immunity to a particular disease. Or simple we can say that any substance that is usually injected into a person or animal to protect him against a particular disease is called vaccine.
History of vaccination
It is hard to determine who invented vaccination.
But we do know that Edward Jenner was the first person which the first recorded vaccination in the western world. Edward Jenner invented a method to protect against smallpox in 1796. The method involved taking material from a blister of someone infected with cowpox and inoculating it into another person's skin; this was called arm-to-arm inoculation.
Vaccination: Yes or No?
In all parenting choices there is no “right” road for all parents. Parenting is hard and you need to make tough decisions sometimes. One of the decisions is about immunization.
Here you will find some common myths and facts about vaccination. It is still your decision about vaccinating your child, we are not suggesting anything.
Myth 1: Vaccines contain mercury
Fact: Vaccines contain thimerosal – a preservative containing about 50% mercury. Thimerosal prevents contamination by bacteria. Since, 2001, in routine vaccines for children younger than 6 has not been used thimerosal. Thimerosal is present in most flu shots, but some vaccines for adults and children can be found in thimerosal free versions.
Myth 2: Vaccines contain toxins
Fact: People are concerned over the use of formaldehyde, aluminum and as we said before mercury in vaccines. This chemicals are toxic to the human body in certain levels, but in FDA approved vaccines they are found only in trace amounts.
Vaccines contain trace amounts of formaldehyde, but our bodies contain formaldehyde too. Formaldehyde is produced at higher rates by our own metabolic systems and there is no evidence that the low levels of this chemical can be harmful.
Some vaccines contain tiny amounts of aluminum which have been used to increase the effectiveness of the vaccine. These are known as adjuvants and work like booster to kick start the immune system into making antibodies. Babies get more aluminum from food than from vaccines.
Myth 3: Vaccines can cause autism and other disorders
Fact: No doubt you’ve heard this myth – it’s been around for some time now. In a nutshell, there is no solid scientific evidence for a link between vaccines and autism. This myth starts with a small study by Andrew Wakefield in 1998 claimed to find a link between MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and development of autism. This study was published and set of panic that led to dropping immunization rates.
The Institute of Medicine in 2004, released a report that found no scientific evidence of a link between MMR vaccine and autism. But myths, once unleashed, can be hard to rein in. The idea of MMR vaccine causing autism has been set in people’s minds, and is going to take some time to overcome it.
Myth 4: Vaccines cause lots of serious side effects
Fact: Studies show that vaccines are incredibly safe. FDA requires pharmaceutical companies to prove that their product doesn’t pose a threat when added to existing vaccine schedule. Most vaccine reactions are usually minor and temporary, such as a mild fever or a sore arm. Less common are seizures (defined as “jerking or staring”), and risks vary depending on the vaccine. For example, 1 in 14,000 children suffer a seizure after receiving the DTaP shot; it’s 1 in 3,000 with the MMR vaccine. You are far more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable diseases than by a vaccine. For example, in the case of polio, the disease can cause paralysis, measles can cause encephalitis and blindness etc.
Myth 5: As long as other kids are vaccinated, mine don’t need to be
Fact: Skipping vaccinations puts your child at a greater risk for potentially life-threatening diseases. "The ability of immunizations to prevent the spread of infection depends on having a certain number of children immunized," says Thomas Saari, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University Of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison.
Often, like-minded unvaccinated families by choice attend the same preschools, playgroups, and schools, thus making it very easy for vaccine-preventable diseases to spread," says Dr. Ari Brown, pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Myth 6: Vaccines guarantee 100% protection
Fact: Not quite. Vaccines are not 100% guarantee that you won’t get sick. About 95% effective vaccines are those made with live weakened virus, such as MMR and chicken pox. Vaccines made with killed or inactivated virus are effective between 75 and 80 percent. That means that even if you are vaccinated there is a chance you get the disease.
Myth 7: Better hygiene and sanitation are responsible for decreased infections – vaccines are not necessary
Fact: Better hygiene, hand washing and clean water help protect people from infectious diseases, but many infections can spread regardless of how clean we are. If people are not vaccinated, diseases that have become uncommon, such as polio and measles, will quickly reappear.
Myth 8: To many vaccines weaken the immune system
Fact: Each dose allows the body to mount an immune response and make defense [antibodies] so the body can fight off a real infection if it showed up. Children are given multiple vaccinations at a time to provide as much protection as early as possible. Both the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that vaccinations be given to children simultaneously when appropriate.
Myth 9: Vaccines can infect the child with the disease it’s trying to prevent
Fact: Vaccines only cause mild symptoms and common misconception is that these symptoms signal infection. There is only one recorded instance in which a vaccine caused disease. This was the Oral Polio Vaccine which is no longer used.
Myth 10: Natural immunity is better
Fact: In some cases, natural immunity - meaning actually catching a disease and getting sick– results in a stronger immunity to the disease than a vaccination. However, the dangers of this approach far outweigh the relative benefits. Infections are more likely than vaccines to trigger a lifelong immunity, but the problem with the natural immunity is the risk of complications. For example polio infection can cause permanent paralysis, deafness and chicken pox can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis or skin infections from too much scratching.
Source: www.who.int
