Immunizations are one of the most important public health measures in human history. Only indoor plumbing even comes close! Childhood vaccinations save 4 million deaths worldwide each year.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a germ (antigen). This triggers your immune system to make antibodies which attach germs. These antibodies will recognize and neutralize them preventing you from getting sick or, in some cases, preventing the infection from becoming as serious. These antigens can not cause the disease since they are not active germs. Some vaccines need to be given several times to trigger a sustained immune response, one that will last for years and years. That is why babies need several doses of the same vaccine.
Any downsides?
Vaccines often have side effects. Most are minor and resolve within 24-48 hours. These include fever, warmth, redness & swelling at the injection site. These side effects occur because your immune system is working! When the immune system responds to the vaccine, white cells rush to the site and cause these symptoms. Pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen will help to relieve the discomfort.
There are a few very serious side effects which are very rare. Although scary, these are much LESS likely than with the actual disease. The benefits of the vaccine still outweigh this very small risk because the disease causes more serious effects than the vaccine. E.g. the flu vaccine causes about 1 case of Guillan Barre per million flu vaccines. However, the risk of Guillain Barre after a flu infection is much higher.
Vaccines save lives.
At Valley Pediatrics in Owings Mills, MD, we appreciate the importance of vaccination in supporting your child’s health. We provide all routine childhood and adolescent vaccines. We follow the vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html. This schedule is the safest since there has been a lot of research proving that it works.
The (Bad) Old Days
Many vaccine preventable diseases were still around when the older clinicians at Valley Pediatrics were training. Dr. Stein and Dr. Cohen did many, many spinal taps on infants for meningitis. Fortunately, due to vaccines, we don’t see that anymore. Before vaccines, every week we sent babies to the ER to make sure they did not have epiglottis (caused by HIB). That has not happened since the vaccine came out 30 years ago. Each year we had dozens of patients in the hospital for dehydration from Rotavirus. We have not had a hospitalization for this in many years. Cellulitis from chicken pox? Gone. Hearing loss from meningitis? Gone. Paralyss for Polio. Gone. None of the clinicians here have ever seen blind or deaf babies from Rubella and we are all thankful for that.
Want more Info?
At Valley Pediatrics, we fully support vaccines, but know that parents have many questions. As parents, we are all trying to do the best for our children. There is a lot of information out there but not all of it is supported by science. We have lots of trustworthy resources and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Here are some helpful resources:
Websites – general information about vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/p... - Vaccine information.
www.immunizationinfo.org - National Network for Immunization Information
https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center or 215-590-9990, The Vaccine Education Center by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Infectious Disease Section.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/default.aspx American Academy of Pediatric site.
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4037.pdf
https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/
Stories of children who have suffered from vaccine-preventable diseases.
https://www.immunize.org/clinical/vaccine-confidence/unprotected-people/topic/influenza/
http://www.immunize.org/reports/ -- Stories of families who have suffered from vaccine-preventable diseases.
https://www.texaschildrens.org/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/vaccine-book-web.pdf
Books
What Every Parent Should Know About Vaccines, by Paul Offit, MD and Louis Bell MD. A short book that reviews specific vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism. My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician, and Autism Dad, by Peter J. Hoetz, MD, PhD.
Vaccinating Your Child: Questions and Answers for the Concerned Parent. Humiston, SG, Good, C. 8/1/2003
Immunizations and Infectious Disease: An Informed Parent’s Guide. Fisher, MC.
Vaccines and your Child. Paul Offit, MD and Charlotte A. Moser. Answers questions about the science and safety of modern vaccines how vaccines work, how they are made, and how they are tested. Most important, they separate the real risks of vaccines from feared but unfounded risks.
Visit Valley Pediatrics for Your Child's Care
Visiting Valley Pediatrics assures comprehensive care for your child in a warm, nurturing environment. Expect a thorough examination tailored to your child's needs, conducted by experienced pediatric clincians who communicate openly and listen attentively to your concerns. Regardless of a routine check-up, vaccination, or addressing health issues, our team offers expert guidance and support every step of the way.
Please explore our website to learn about the services we provide. Call us at (410) 902-7710 to schedule an appointment.