Childhood vaccination fact and fiction
There’s a simple way to prevent many common illnesses and ensure the health of you and your family – one we often overlook or take for granted – immunizations. And, with the start of a new school year coming up, it’s a great time to check on your family’s vaccinations.
Infants and children need to get vaccinated to prevent diseases like hepatitis, measles and pertussis. Though most children get recommended vaccines, some U.S. communities have low vaccination coverage that puts them at risk for outbreaks.
Vaccination myths
“I believe the reason we’re seeing a higher number of parents deciding not to vaccinate is two-fold. One, I think there is concern and questions regarding what the vaccinations really are for, and then the other is the belief that the things we’re vaccinating for, the diseases, are no longer here – which is false information. With measles alone in the United States, we’ve seen an increase in the number of cases,” says Sentara pediatrician Dan F. Via, M.D.
Via says he sometimes hears, “Isn’t measles one of those diseases that everyone used to get as a child? My grandmother says when she was a kid, she and all her siblings got it, and they’re all fine.” But at best, measles is a very uncomfortable illness, and at worst, it can be deadly. On average, measles kills between one and three of every 1,000 infected children.
“Another vaccine myth is the number of vaccines given at one time can overwhelm a child’s immune system. There is no current documentation or information in studies to show that this is something that is harmful to the child,” says Via.
Via also explains, “There is a lot of confusing information out there,” and says the best way to approach this is a discussion with your child’s pediatrician, a known and trusted resource. Pediatricians are vaccine experts and have real-world experience administering and monitoring vaccines and responses to vaccines.
Concerns about side effects
You want to make sure to know the most common side effects that may occur with vaccinations, and what potentially you need to be doing for those if you do see them in your child. Most side effects are very minor and will go away on their own in the first few days.
Side effects from vaccinations are rare, says Via, and “the bigger concern with not vaccinating your child is that you do put your child at risk for contracting a preventable disease that they may otherwise be protected against with vaccinations.”
Get back on track with routine vaccinations
As your children head back to school, it’s particularly important for you to work with your child’s doctor or nurse to make sure they are caught up on missed well-child visits and recommended vaccines.
Remember to take care of yourself, too. Make sure to receive any vaccines you need to stay healthy. Talk with your care provider to see which vaccines might be right for you.
Need to find free vaccines for your child?
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines to eligible children at no cost. This program provides free vaccines to children who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or American Indian/Alaska Native. Check out the program’s requirements and talk to your child’s doctor or nurse to see if they are a VFC provider. You can also find a VFC provider by calling your state or local health department or seeing if your state has a VFC website.
Learn more about immunization:
Make sure your child has the healthiest start possible. Schedule an appointment with Sentara Pediatric Physicians for your child's vaccines and well-child visits.
By: Amy Sandoval