By Dr. Dennis Murray, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
MCG Children’s Medical Center 

Many parents have questions and concerns regarding immunizations. Are they safe? What about the link between vaccines and disorders such as autism? Would my child be better off without vaccines?

The following guide answers the top four questions parents have about vaccines.

What about autism? A small study done with only 12 children in 1998 raised fears of a link between the MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccine and the development of autism. Since then, 10 of the 13 authors have retracted their conclusions from the study. In addition, other, larger studies have not found a link between the MMR vaccine and autism; instead, rates of autism are the same among populations of those who have and have not been vaccinated. One reason people might see a link is that signs of autism often occur at the same age as the administration of the MMR vaccine.  Studies have also shown no association between thimerosal, a preservative used in some vaccines, and autism.

Are vaccines safe?  Numerous studies have been performed proving the safety of vaccines. As with any medicine, they can occasionally cause reactions. These reactions are usually mild, such as a sore arm or a slight fever; serious reactions from vaccines are rare.

About 3 to 10 percent of children may experience a rash 10 to 14 days after receiving the MMR vaccine as well as the chicken pox vaccine. If your child develops a rash, it should disappear in a few days. Consult your child’s physician if the rash does not go away.

Can vaccines cause disease? Contrary to popular belief, you cannot get a disease from a vaccination. Vaccines are made from killed or altered live bacteria or viruses, as well as non-harmful products of these germs. None cause the development of diseases in healthy persons.  However, vaccines with altered bacteria or viruses may be contraindicated in some individuals due to that person’s weakened immune system. 

Are vaccines still necessary? Because many diseases we vaccinate against are no longer common in the United States, some wonder if we still need to vaccinate. It is true that thanks to vaccines, many life-threatening diseases have now become rare in the United States. However, we need to continue to get vaccinated to ensure that these diseases do not make a comeback. In some cases, disease is just a “plane ride away”; thus, diseases such as measles could be introduced by visitors from other countries, or by someone from the United States, not fully protected, acquiring the infection and returning to the United States.  As past flu seasons have demonstrated, even those diseases commonly considered “not deadly” could prove otherwise due to different strains and variations. It is just wise to be prepared. If you can get a vaccine that will reduce your risk of becoming ill, it makes good sense to go ahead and get it.
 
Remember, while no vaccine is 100 percent safe and 100 percent effective, vaccines recommended for routine use in the United States have markedly reduced or eliminated many diseases seen in the past and that are still present in many other countries.  Talk to your pediatrician or family doctor to ensure you and your family are up to date on all necessary immunizations.

MCG Health System is composed of three organizations - MCG Health Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group.  MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services.  MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia, and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for delivering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.  For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.