5 Dangerous Vaccination Myths

[xchrom]

http://www.livescience.com/35163-dangerous-vaccination-myths.html


Myth: Vaccines don't work.
***SNIP

For example, before the vaccine became available in 1963, almost everyone contracted measles before the age of 15. In the United States, it killed 450 people, mostly children, on average every year. After the vaccine was introduced, cases of measles reached a low of 37 in 2004. But just two years ago, that number climbed more than 130, according to the CDC; many of the patients were unvaccinated by choice.


Myth: Vaccines aren't 100-percent safe.

This one is true, but walking down the street is not 100-percent safe either, and that doesn't stop pedestrian traffic. Almost all vaccines are given via shots, which can cause pain, redness and tenderness at the injection site. Other rare side effects include fever, persistent crying and allergic reactions .

Myth: Vaccines aren't necessary.

The only disease that has been eradicated is small pox. Everything else is still out there. Some like whooping cough and measles continue to cause disease in the developed world. Others, such as polio, mainly occur in developing nations, but could be reintroduced anywhere, via international travel.

[HockeyMom]

1. Adult booster vacs

I worked at a public school where there was a couple of measles cases. Staff were told to get measles booster vacs. They told me, since I had the disease as a child, I had lifetime immunity and didn't need a booster. I was also told that actually having these diseases conferred greater immunity than a vaccination.

[Warpy]

2. You don't get it.

Those "usual childhood diseases" can be fatal to some children. I nearly died from measles encephalopathy, a high price to pay for not needing MMR boosters. Vaccinating all the kiddies makes sure there isn't a pool of infected children who are transmitting the disease to their peers, some of whom might have fragile health states due to immune system problems, transplant, or chemotherapy.

By vaccinating your kids, you make sure they're not only not going to get these diseases, they're not going to pass them on to the kids who can't be vaccinated because of one medical condition or other or who are immunocompromised.

[HockeyMom]

4. "Some" children

As an infant, I had Measles and Chicken Pox at the same time. This was long before there were vacs for either. How do you do think the human race ever survived without medical care or vaccinations???? Oh, my. I guess I should have died with both of these at the same time.

[Warpy]

5. You were lucky

I was not. How many children are you going to condemn to an early death because of that sort of lunacy?

[HuckleB]

6. Plenty of people have died.

Why do you think it's ok to let them die or develop disabilities?

[trotsky]

7. It's true that most people who had measles survived with no ill effects.

Even before we had seat belts, most people survived car trips too.

But seat belts dropped the fatality and injury rates from automobile accidents even lower, so we use them.

That's why we vaccinate. To reduce the number of children who die. Pretty easy logic to follow - but it's sad how many people have your attitude - "I survived it just fine, what's the big deal?"

[HockeyMom]

8. You have to KEEP getting vaccinated

that is my point. I won't. Oh, I am also 65 and never have a flu shot either. I haven't had the flu in about 15 years, and that is with working with young children who had it all the time. Tell me why not? Maybe because people need to build up their own immunity and not rely on this pill or that shot?

I also worked 1:1 with a little boy who was not vaccinated at all because his parents objected because of religious reasons. He was never sick either while all the other kids in the class were sneezing, coughing, fevers, etc. Again, why not?

Back years ago when my children were young, their doctor stopped giving them antibiotics, and he said the reason was that people develop a tolerance for these meds, and they will do no good. Ever hear that one? I suppose the medical field has done a complete turn around today. Why? $$$$$$$ from the pharmaceutical industry.

[trotsky]

9. No, not all the time.

Some vaccines can confer lifetime immunity. Ones with live attenuated viruses USUALLY do. But it's not perfect. We vaccinate not only to protect ourselves, but to protect each other.

Your callous, libertarian attitude toward those who aren't as fortunate as you is disgusting. I have nothing more to say to you.

[HuckleB]

3. Highly Recommended!