Vaccines – myths and truths
Vaccines protect a person from a
specific illness or disease when taken in the right dosage and at the
recommended age. While vaccination brings a big fear in some people, for others
it’s just one of those things that needs to be done. We’ve put together some
common myths and truths about vaccines and hope to shed some light on this
topic.
Myth 1: All vaccines cause fever
Truth 1: Most vaccines nowadays do not cause fever. Only a few
vaccines like DPT (whole sell type), MMR (measles,
mumps and rubella) and chicken pox (varicella) cause fever. Sometimes, there
may be mild rashes associated with the fever and the fever may appear after a
week, not immediately.
Myth 2: Being vaccinated means you will never get that
disease
Truth 2: If you are vaccinated against a particular disease, chances
are you will not get it. However, if you come into close contact with someone
having the disease, you may get a mild version of the disease. For e.g. children vaccinated against chicken pox may get chicken pox, but the
blisters will be fewer, days of fever will be fewer and recovery will be faster
when compared to those who have not been vaccinated. Also serious complications
like skin infection or meningitis will not arise. Thirdly, if the person’s immunity
is low for e.g. elderly people and infants or
sick children may contract the disease if exposed to it.
Myth 3:
Flu vaccine ensures complete protection from the flu
Truth 3: Influenza has many strains of the bacteria causing it and
the flu vaccine is area specific. So if you are residing in a place and get a
flu vaccine, it will protect you against the strains found in that particular
area. However, if you are traveling, your flu vaccine will be ineffective as
you may be exposed to different strains of the flu which you are not protected
against. Also, the flu vaccine protects from complications like meningitis that
may be fatal.
Myth 4:
Vaccines are 100 % effective
Truth 4: If the vaccine is not stored at the recommended temperature
(for e.g. polio vaccine requires
storage in the refrigerator to maintain the cold chain) or if it is handled
inappropriately by the health workers administering it or the dosage given is
incorrect, the vaccine will not be effective. Another reason is that depending
on your genetic make-up your body may not be receptive to the vaccine, hence it
may not work for you like it does for the rest of the population.
Myth 5:
All available vaccines should be given
Truth 5: All the vaccines listed in the National Immunisation Schedule should be given. They include BCG, OPV, DPT,
measles, hepatitis B and TT. Some vaccines like pneumococcal vaccine and that
for rotavirus are optional.
Depending on cost factor and risk of acquiring it in that region, an informed
decision must be taken by the parents or the family doctor or paediatrician should be consulted.
Myth 6:
Expensive vaccines are better
Truth 6: In most cases, both the cheaper vaccine and its costly
counterpart are equally effective. Indigenously manufactured vaccines are
as good as the imported vaccines. Depending on availability and affordability,
parents can take a decision.
Myth 7:
Giving vaccines are risky
Truth 7: It is much more risky to withhold giving a vaccine than to
give it. Vaccines themselves are not
usually risky but some children may be
allergic to the preservatives mixed in the vaccine. However, this figure is
very small and almost negligible. Children with a history of anaphylactic
reactions or severe allergy during past vaccinations should not receive the
vaccine.
Myth 8:
Vaccination benefits only the individual
Truth 8: Vaccination benefits the entire community. The more people
that are vaccinated in a community, the more benefit even to the unvaccinated
individuals in that community. Hence the protective effect of vaccines
encompasses the community as a whole.
Myth 9:
Vaccines are linked to medical problems like autism
Truth 9: Studies have not found an association with vaccines like MMR
or thiomersol (a preservative used
in vaccines especially in developing countries)
and autism or any related disorders. So this allegation is baseless and should
not be taken into consideration.
Myth 10:
Vaccines can be given at any time
Truth 10: Vaccination should be postponed if the child is ill or
unwell till he is better. Also, vaccines should be given in the recommended
time period, if delayed the child may acquire the illness before the vaccine is
given.
(By Mdhil , yahoo.com)
