August is National Immunization Awareness Month, aptly timed as vaccination is on the minds of many parents as they prepare for their children to head back to school this month. As a pediatrician for more than 40 years, I’ve cared for children from infancy into their early 20s and have handled my fair share of questions about vaccination.
It’s OK to have concerns; there is a lot of misinformation about vaccination. Parents and patients should always discuss them with their health care provider and come up with a plan together on how to best protect their children and themselves from dangerous diseases.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccination remains one of the most important medical advancements in history. Since the first smallpox vaccination in 1796, hundreds of millions
of vaccines have been administered worldwide. They are studied extensively, both individually and in combinations, and the science is clear: vaccination is safe and effective for all of us.
According to the World Health Organization, immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years, protecting us from terrible illnesses that devastated families for decades, like polio, measles and diphtheria.
Why do babies need so many vaccines?
New parents are often overwhelmed by the vaccination schedule for children and worry it’s too much on their little bodies. The schedule was developed based on years of study and advancements in understanding the diseases and our ability to fight them. Because infants haven’t been exposed to as many diseases as older children or adults, they can be the most at risk for serious illness or death.
Vaccinating children early in life, before any potential exposure, gives them the best chance against the most dangerous and life-threatening diseases. Some vaccines, including tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough), require several doses for the body to gain protection.
Are vaccines exposing children to the actual virus?
Vaccines imitate an infection to train our bodies on how to defend against it without the danger of the actual infection. They contain a weakened or killed version of the bacteria or virus that can’t make you sick but can fool your immune system into putting up its defenses. So, if you’re ever exposed to the actual disease, your body knows exactly what to do. Because they’re causing an immune response, it’s normal to feel tired or a little sick after receiving a vaccination.
Why do we need to be vaccinated once against some diseases but yearly for others?
Vaccines train your body to fight off a disease, but not all diseases act the same. Some, like measles, don’t change much over time, so the vaccination you received twice as a child can protect you for life. Others, like influenza and COVID-19, do change over time. This is why scientists adapt these vaccines each year to match circulating strains.
Why do we need to be vaccinated against diseases we don't see anymore?
Smallpox is responsible for an estimated 500 million deaths worldwide. Thanks to vaccination, the disease was declared eradicated in 1980, and we no longer need to be vaccinated against it. However, cases of other diseases, like polio, measles and mumps, still occur here in the United States and worldwide and could be devastating if there is a large outbreak.
This is why they remain on the vaccine schedule. In addition, some vaccines are most effective if a significant portion of the population is immunized.
It’s important to take any concerns or questions to your health care provider to receive the facts about vaccinations and ensure you and your family are protected.
William Cotton, MD, is a retired pediatrician and member of the Columbus Medical Association. This column is brought to you the Columbus Medical Association, an organization uniting physicians and patients to build a healthier community for all. Send health-related questions by going to columbusmedicalassociation.org/askthedoc.
This column is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health care provider with questions or concerns about your health.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Are shots safe for your child? Doctor explains vaccines
