Childhood Immunizations: Debunking Common Fears

Immunizations: The Big Debate
Today, there is much controversy concerning whether childhood immunizations are safe or even necessary. An abundance of research conducted over the past decades, disproves immunizations cause harmful side effects or unnecessary. However, people are still doubting having their children immunized despite the research. Major fears among immunizations include they cause autism, the short immunization schedule, and if they are truly necessary and safe for children to receive. Many of these fears come from outside influences of other people. Immunizations were safely developed to prevent the outbreak of childhood diseases, and the statistics behind receiving them proves that immunizations are safely effective.

First, immunizations do not cause autism nor are they linked to autism. Although the proof is in the research, there is still much controversy about the topic. For example, there is the Cochrane systematic review, which conducted research on the MMR vaccine that included measles, mumps, and rubella, of more than 15 million children and concluded no evidence linking immunizations to autism. (Carroll) Another study conducted this year by the American Medical Association followed 100,000 children who received the MMR vaccine from birth to age 5, and found no association with the MMR vaccine to autism. (Carroll) Autism should not be associated with vaccinations with no factual evidence linking them together. Autism is a separate nonrelated diagnosis and should be treated as such.
Second, the schedule in which children receive their immunizations is

Safe.

Babies and small children receive a set of vaccinations accumulating up to almost 30 by age two. This may seem like a lot for one child to handle, however it is important to keep in mind all the exposure they have to harmful pathogens every day. Immunizations are set in place to help build a stronger immunity to these antigens because a child’s immune system is not strong enough to fight these harmful pathogens off at a young age. Another reason they receive so many immunizations by age two is because of developmental timing. During which the vaccines received overlap with when children with autism spectrum disorder may have noticeable symptoms that allows for detection prior to immunizations. (Maron) It is necessary for children to receive their immunizations as scheduled. There is no benefit in delaying the time a child receives their them. Therefore, a child should follow the immunization schedule guidelines provided by the

CDC.
Third, immunizations are necessary, and they are safe. They are necessary for children’s immunity and defense against foreign pathogens. They are designed to allow the body to build up immunity to particular diseases by exposing them to the diseases. The vaccines contain a weakened or dead amount of the disease-causing germ that will spark an immune response, and the exposure to the disease will allow the body to build up immunity that will create memory cells in case of contact. (Maron) The antigens in immunizations are made to save lives and not to cause more harm. For example, Studies from hospitals in the 1900’s, before immunizations, have shown a 90% decline in death rates from diseases in which immunizations help to prevent. (Jr.)
Immunizations are safe and there is rarely any risk of harmful side effects. However, that is not the same for every child, because every child is different and may have a different response. The most typical side effects include redness and swelling at injection site and a mild fever. There is a minimal side effect of a child having a seizure due to developing a high fever, but there is a one in 3,000 chance of this happening. (Maron) The fact that every child is different leaves possibly that there are some who will have an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction to immunizations is easily treatable with medications. (Maron) Although there are some side effects, a few rarer, immunizations are safe. If they were not safe for babies and children, they would not be so commonly accepted by the government and healthcare professionals.
The controversy that surrounds immunizations today is fueled by the fears society has put on them.

The CDC would not allow the administration of them if they were harmful or posed potential risk to the public. Research shows there is no link to immunizations causing autism, and there is more research being conducted to further prove this fact. The set schedule by the CDC for immunizations proves to be beneficial, rather than delaying them. Immunizations may have some potentially harmful side effects, however they safe for children and necessary for immunity against harmful diseases. It is vital that children be immunized because it will only help them become resistant to the pathogens they encounter every

day.