Fighting False Immunization Information

Some of your favorite immunization myths are finally put to rest.

If you’re a parent, you’ve got a lot to consider. You’ve got to find ways to get your kids to eat their vegetables, exercise, and boost their mental health – all at once. You work hard to do the best thing for your kids. Then, all of a sudden you catch word that immunization, which you thought was protecting your child’s health is actually harming your child!

Over the years, immunization has gone from hero to villain. However, it’s important that parents understand that the bad news surrounding immunization may not be true after all. Here’s the inside scoop on a few bits of misinformation you may believe.

Myth # 1: In the United States, practically every disease that can be prevented with vaccines has become extinct, making it pointless to practice vaccination.

While vaccination’s effectiveness is a wonder to behold, it’s not the time to stop immunization. Since many parts of the world continue to suffer with vaccine-preventable diseases, it is easy for unvaccinated Americans to bring these diseases back to the United States on accident. Also, vaccinating fewer American children will ultimately lead to increased incidence of diseases that are currently eliminated in our country.

Myth # 2: Vaccines actually cause people to suffer the disease the vaccine was created to protect against.

Looking at raw numbers, it appears vaccination does cause people to end up with the very diseases they think they’re being protected from through vaccination. A closer inspection shows otherwise. As the majority of people in the United States have been vaccinated, it is only natural for more people with vaccinations to suffer diseases. It’s simple numbers. Though more vaccinated individuals do end up with measles, mumps, and other diseases with immunizations, those who aren’t vaccinated are much more likely to suffer these diseases than their vaccinated peers.

Myth # 3: Immunization can lead to conditions, such as autism, which are much more dangerous than any disease from which children are vaccinated.

A few years ago, the news was having a heyday with research that stated that autism was associated with a certain vaccine. These supposed findings were refuted soon afterward by numerous respected medical institutions and many of the researchers who participated in the study. Unfortunately, this information was given three seconds of media attention, whereas the original, frightening report was on every news channel for months on end. Each and every parent should know that not having children vaccinated puts them in much greater danger than vaccination ever will.

Myth # 4: Vaccines only appear useful because of the great sewage system and other hygienic steps taken in our nation.

Improved living conditions have indeed reduced the number of diseases that get passed from one person to the other. However, the advent of vaccinations brought about unprecedented reductions in diseases in a very short period of time. As helpful as good sanitation may be, it could never have made polio a distant part of the past, like immunization has done.

Still not convinced your child needs some shots of good health? Consult your child’s pediatrician for more reasons vaccination is the healthy way to go.

Stay on Schedule

In order to ensure your child receives the maximum benefit from immunization, you’ve got to stay on top of his or her needed vaccines. Use the chart below to keep tabs on your child’s immunization schedule.