The purpose of a vaccine is to prevent a child from developing a potentially life-threatening illness. Vaccinations have been around for a long time. Historical records of ancient Chinese doctors administering vaccinations for chickenpox and polio have been discovered. For the past twenty years, however, there has been growing controversy to suspend some of the statements regarding only the positive effects of vaccinations. Some vaccines, particularly the ones administered to younger children, can cause negative side effects. While most of these side effects are minimal, there are circumstances that demand a parent’s attention.
The Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism published an article by Dr. Classen stating that a variety of measle vaccines may be causing juvenile diabetes in the 24 to 48 month old children. “Our results conclusively prove there is a causal relationship between immunization schedules and diabetes. We believe immunization schedules can be made safer,” stated Dr. Bart Classen.
Genetics and heredity are being factored in as the vaccines are being researched for safety. There is ample evidence to suggest that a number of the side effects are triggered not by the vaccine itself, but by the interaction of the vaccine’s components with certain factors determined by genetic make-up. Some genetic factors make a person more susceptible to developing the negative side effects from the use of some of the compounds in vaccines.
National Network For Immunization Information (NNII) published an articles that concluded: “Vaccines are extremely safe and getting safer and more effective all the time as a result of medical research and ongoing review by doctors, researchers, and public health officials. Vaccines must meet the strict safety standards of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that they are safe and effective before they are approved. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) closely monitor each vaccine’s safety as long as it is in use. Scientific research and experience have shown that serious adverse effects from vaccines are extremely rare. The chance of serious complications (including death) from the diseases that vaccines prevent is many times higher than the chance of complications related to vaccines. As with all medicines, vaccines carry some element of risk. Doctors and public health professionals consider the balance of benefits and risks before recommending any vaccine. This balance is always subject to new information and can change when diseases are controlled or eradicated, or when there is new evidence about a vaccine or a vaccine-preventable disease that calls for a change in recommendations.”
