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Vaccination Information
Vaccines have saved many people’s lives. The success rate depends on the way it is used, the development, and regulation. There has been much research going on in the area of vaccinations and the possible risk of vaccines, especially death and disability.
Vaccination is one of the best ways to eliminate a disease successfully. They are given to children when the doctors identify the development process. Many medical journals quote that vaccination saves people’s lives. However, vaccines are not totally safe. A vaccine given to prevent an infection can actually produce the infection. They can also cause allergic reactions, such as hives or anaphylaxis. Most of the allergies are caused due to vaccine components. According to the Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases 2006, "vaccination allergies are rare, depending on whether the patients are allergic to antibiotics, chicken, egg, gelatin or mercury."
Vaccinations are recommended especially to infants and children because they can treat a certain disease. They prevent diseases and protect the people who come in contact with the affected individuals. Vaccines have protected people from many infectious diseases, such as polio, diphtheria, influenza, mumps, tetanus, Hepatitis B, rubella, swine, and more.
Childhood diseases can be fatal because unvaccinated children who are exposed to germs will not have the immune system to fight the disease. Immunizing can help protect the children in a community by stopping disease outbreaks. One example is Polio outbreak that was spread through the contact of germs in air, water, or food. The virus enters the bloodstream and the victim develops antibodies against the virus to stop the progression but some people may develop a paralytic polio attack. The virus can damage the brain and completely paralyze people.
In the year 1954, many medical research scientists in US and Canada started to develop a polio vaccine in clinical trials. Their results were successful and by 1955, the Government granted the permission to distribute it to the children in the country. The discovery of polio vaccines have decreased the number of fatal deaths and damages caused to the human body. Vaccines are continuously monitored for any side effects.
Different vaccines can cause different types of long term effects. For example, an anthrax vaccine can cause serious allergic reaction. DTaP vaccine can cause seizures, coma or severe brain damage. Hepatitis A and B could cause allergic reactions that can become long-term. HPV-Cervarix vaccine can cause people to faint, but it is not a long-term effect. H1N1 influenza can also cause allergic reactions that can be life threatening. JE-VAX vaccine can cause serious nervous weakness and MMR vaccine can cause deafness or brain damage. Most of the other vaccines such as polio, shingles, rabies, PPSV23, and PCV only cause mild or moderate problems like allergies, rashes, and pain which could be treated.
An alternative to vaccine is to keep your child healthy. Read the labels in packed food to avoid fat and canned items. Also avoid food with high sugar content like sugared breakfast cereals, cookies, and sodas. It’s also good to use fruit spreads and to eat fresh vegetables and fruits. No one can immunize you or your child against your will. If they do, you can legally charge them. In some states, young children are not legally vaccinated, but a new baby born at a hospital can be subjected to hepatitis B vaccine which is a hospital rule and not a state rule. Also look for state vaccine laws when you enroll your child in a public institution. It’s important to remember that not all vaccinations are safe because some can cause serious disability or even death. It is also unclear what impact vaccines have on infectious diseases. It is also documented that vaccines are not the only option to stay healthy. One can get legal exemptions on medical, religious, and personal grounds in the US.
Recommended Further Reading:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Comprehensive source for finding health information.
- National Vaccine Information Center: A lot of information on vaccination.
- History of Polio Vaccination: A look at the development of polio vaccines.
- Vaccine Information: Provides information about vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Childhood Illness: Discusses vaccination risks and your rights.
- Alternatives to Vaccination: An overview of some alternatives.
- Avoiding Immunization: Discusses a person’s rights to avoid immunizations.
- Types of Vaccines: Provides information on the different types of vaccination.
- Immunization Program: The immunization program of the State of Oregon.
- Vaccine Liberation: A great place to learn about vaccinations and related myths.