Today, vaccines are an essential part of life. People often take their children to the doctor’s office for the chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella and many other immunizations. Even adults get vaccines and boosters like for shingles or tetanus.
But, despite many studies showing vaccines are safe, many still question if they are a risk to our health.
First, it’s important to look at how dangerous the diseases they prevent can be.
Previous to vaccination development, it is estimated approximately 1 million people were infected every year from what are now preventable diseases. Infections have decreased 98 percent since vaccines were introduced. Once common diseases like measles, that accounted for over half-a-million cases annually have only a few hundred, almost all due to lack of immunization.
Additionally, per the CDC, the diseases vaccines prevent can be very dangerous and deadly. The chance of contracting an infection like measles is comparatively low. But, more and more cases are occurring each year as some individuals chose to not vaccinate. Without protection you and your family are at risk of the many diseases vaccines can protect against.
A key part of all vaccination is herd immunity. The more people vaccinated, the harder it is for a disease to spread. This helps protect the very young, very old and immune compromised from potentially deadly infections.
A study released in 2018 by NCBI said children are especially susceptible to getting complications as a result from catching the flu, such as pneumonia. Often, a child may have contracted the disease from an adult, sibling or other close individual. It’s important that as many people as possible are vaccinated.
Making sure vaccines are safe is a top priority for the CDC, FDA, WHO and other health organizations. Many studies and mountains of scientific data show vaccines are both safe and effective.
The FDA oversees extensive testing of vaccines before they are ever available for use. This ensures safety and effectiveness. Testing vaccines can sometimes take years, but it is all to be sure the vaccine is safe to be administered.
Like any medication, there can be mild side effects like pain or redness at the injection. Common misconceptions like that a flu vaccine can give a person the disease are not true.
Healthcare professionals around the world highly recommend vaccines as part of everyday health. Immunizations like the influenza vaccine provide needed protection for adults and children alike.
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