Pediatric Immunizations - Facts and Fiction

Hayden Pasco, MD
Primary Health Group - Short Pump

Children will be heading back to school soon, and while it’s hard to believe that this time is once again upon us, September is right around the corner! Because August is National Immunization Awareness Month, I have compiled a list of the most common misconceptions about vaccines, and the facts behind them.

Fiction: Vaccination Causes Autism

Fact: There is no scientific evidence linking vaccinations with autism. In fact, the initial report originally published in England describing the link between the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine was refuted by large-scale studies and eventually retracted by the journal. The notion of the link arose from the coincidental timeline of autism development. The disease tends to emerge around the timeline that the MMR vaccine is given, thus creating a link. The absence of this link has been confirmed by meta data, which is an aggregation of major studies over a period of time, effectively closing the case on this misinformation.

Fiction: Vaccinations Contain High Levels of Mercury (Thimerosal)

Fact: Almost all routine childhood vaccinations are now mercury (thimerosol)-free, in response to a US Public Health Service and American Academy of Pediatrics request to manufacturers in 1999. Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound preservative that had been used in some vaccines and other products since the 1930s. There has been no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of the ingredient that used to be in some vaccines and other treatments, but it was removed as a precautionary measure, regardless. The only vaccines that may still contain this preservative are inactivated flu vaccines, which only make up a small part of the flu vaccine spectrum.

Fiction: I Should Wait to Vaccinate Until My Child is Older

Fact: Because their immune systems have not fully developed, children under the age of five are especially susceptible to disease. Although approximately 80% of all children in the United States receive the appropriate vaccinations on schedule, delays in vaccination have been linked to infectious disease outbreaks (specifically whooping cough/pertussis, which can be fatal) among young children. In 2013 in Wisconsin alone, 300 children under the age of one were diagnosed with pertussis, and 177 of them were under the age of six months. Half were hospitalized, and three of them died. By vaccinating early and on-schedule, you can protect your child and other children from disease.

Fiction: Partial Immunizations Will Protect My Child from Disease

Fact: Partial immunizations will leave your child, and others around him, at risk. Full immunity is not achieved unless your child is vaccinated according to schedule and dose. The good news is that it’s never too late to get vaccinated – catch-up immunization schedules are available for those who have missed or skipped doses.

Fiction: My Child Doesn’t Need Vaccines Because Herd Immunity Protects Him

Fact: Community, or “herd,” immunity is defined as a small critical portion of a community being protected against diseases because the majority is immunized, resulting in little opportunity for an outbreak. At-risk groups who sometimes are opted out from vaccines include infants, pregnant women, and otherwise immunocompromised individuals. In order for herd immunity to be effective, eligible individuals need to adhere to the recommended vaccine schedule, thus protecting the entire community.

Fiction: There are Very Few Deaths from Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Fact: Globally, 1.5 million unvaccinated children under five years of age die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. This is a much higher number than any of the risk factors for vaccine side-effects, which occur at virtually undetectable rates. Unfortunately, while the United States has low rates of vaccine-preventable diseases, the global population does not fare as well. If the United States population begins to relax on vaccine standards, the risks for an outbreak of a dangerous disease increase as these pathogens are just a plane ride away.

For even more information, there are several very helpful online resources available to you. The CDC has a very informative website at cdc.gov/vaccines, which includes vaccine schedules for all ages, the latest news and reports, and disease-specific information. Another site with fun infographics is vaccines.com/why-vaccinate.cfm. There is information about most major vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as population risk factors.

If you have any questions about vaccines, vaccine-preventable disease, wellness, or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hayden Pasco, please call Primary Health Group – Short Pump at 804.217.9091.