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Home > August marks National Immunization Awareness Month: Incorporate immunizations into your family’s health calendar
August marks National Immunization Awareness Month: Incorporate immunizations into your family’s health calendar
Expert advice from Dr. Rhonda Johnson, Highmark medical director
Keeping up with the shots and immunization schedules for you, your children and other adults in the family can be a tough job. Yet, it’s so important to remember that immunizations are one of the best “investments” to stay healthy. According to a U.S. News & World Report article, more than 50,000 adults die in the United States each year as the result of diseases that are potentially vaccine-preventable?
Immunizations are important because they prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as polio, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, meningitis, some forms of hepatitis and mumps – and they continue to be an important strategy in safeguarding the health of our communities.
There has been a lot of public concern about vaccine safety in recent years. The good news is that there is no compelling scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism or any other harmful condition. In fact, the evidence is overwhelming that vaccines SAVE lives. A recent study indicated that by following the childhood immunization schedule, approximately 42,000 deaths and 20 million cases of disease were prevented.
Here are some of the common myths about immunizations and the real facts:
MYTH #1. There is no need to receive vaccinations against diseases that have greatly been eliminated from the United States.
While it’s true that vaccinations helped to reduce most vaccine-preventable diseases, there are still diseases, some even epidemic, that exist in other parts of the world. Vaccinations protect us and those around us. Travelers may unknowingly bring diseases into the United States, or if you travel abroad, you may be at risk.
MYTH #2. Some vaccines still contain mercury.
After 2001, the preservative called thimerosal (a compound containing mercury) was removed from almost all manufactured children’s vaccines. Because flu vaccines are not just for children, some manufacturers still put thimerosal in flu-shot vaccines. You can ask your health care provider for a thimerosal-free flu shot.
MYTH #3. Vaccines cause harmful side effects and illness and childhood vaccines
can cause autism.
All vaccinations are licensed by the FDA and are actually very safe. Most vaccine side effects are minor and temporary such as a sore arm or mild fever. More serious effects are so rare that risks cannot be accurately accessed. There is also no scientific evidence that there is a link between vaccinations and autism. Experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine, agree that vaccines are not a known cause for children who are recognized as having
autism.
MYTH #4. Multiple vaccines can overwhelm a child’s immune system.
Children’s immune systems have the ability to handle far more challenges than what they receive through immunizations. It is recommended that children receive multiple vaccinations for two reasons. One, they should be immunized as early as possible to give them protection and two, multiple vaccinations at one time means less visits to the doctor’s office, saving time for busy families.
MYTH #5. It’s better to let my child get the chickenpox “naturally.”
It’s been more than 15 years since the chickenpox vaccine was licensed, so your child is less likely to naturally acquire the “pox” from their playmates. There are many possible complications associated with the chickenpox, including severe bacterial infections that could result in hospitalization or death. Pennsylvania is one of 45 states that require the chickenpox vaccine.
Want to know more? Please contact your personal health care provider or the local health department. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website offers the 2011 recommended immunization schedule for children up to 18 years old.
Dr. Rhonda Johnson is the medical director of health equity and quality services at Highmark Inc. She leads Highmark’s efforts to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities among Highmark members through clinical interventions and improvements in health literacy, language access and health plan cultural competency.
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