5 Vaccination Myth You Need To Stop Believing

Parents decline or delay vaccination of their kids due to the fear of various statements being published about the vaccines. Some say vaccination leads to autism, while some don’t feel they are necessary. Parents often delay vaccines to avoid the discomfort and pain which the children go through after getting it. It is important to stay up-to-date with the child’s immunization, as it is important to keep the kids away from infectious diseases.

There are no studies linking vaccination to autism. A fraudulent study once linked MMR vaccine to autism. Since then, a lot of studies have been conducted and they report no link between the two.^{(1, 2)} Brain changes related to autism begin in the early infancy. As these changes begin before the MMR vaccine is given, the vaccine cannot be blamed for the occurrence.

Thimerosal was used in vaccine vials to prevent the build-up of bacteria. There was no evidence of harm due to the low doses of thimerosal, except for mild redness and swelling. Also, it does not stay in the body for long so there are no chances of it building-up to harmful levels. According to Center of Disease Control (CDC), it is no longer in use.⁽³⁾

Thimerosal was never used in the MMR vaccine and is not linked with autism as well. Only a flu shot might contain thimerosal but that also is not present in all the versions of it.

According to The World Health Organization, vaccines prevent two to three million death every year. Other than providing resistance against the deadly diseases, it is known to less likely pass the illness to other people. Unvaccinated children and adults can easily spread the disease to the young, people with the weak immune system, and to those under the risk of certain illness. Missing a shot not only puts one life in danger but also affects those of others around them.

SIDS is the sudden, unexpected death of the babies younger than 1 year of age. Various researches and studies conducted found no link between vaccination and SIDS. ⁽⁴⁾ Maybe the myth started because babies receive maximum vaccines at the age of 2 to 4 months, which is a peak age range for SIDS.

Effect of some childhood vaccine goes away over time. Adults are also at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases due to travel, job, lifestyle, or health conditions.

Few vaccines which an adult might need are:

• Influenza: All adults need a seasonal flu vaccine every year. It is especially important for people with a chronic health condition, pregnant women, and elderly.
• Tdap: Every adult need tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine followed by a Tdap booster every 10 years.
• Zoster: Shingle vaccine is recommended for people aged 60 years and above.
• Pneumococcal: This vaccine is recommended for adults aged 65 years and above and earlier for those with certain risk factors.

Some adults also need vaccination for meningitis, hepatitis, chickenpox, human papillomavirus (HPV) and other conditions.

A vaccine saves life. Do not fall for the myth and put the life of your child on the risk of life-threatening illnesses.