Health education course, chapter 1 - part 1: serving children's  (Page 5/5)

Severe side effects

More serious side effects occur very rarely. The risk of a serious complication from a disease is far greater than the risk from avaccine.

Research is currently under way to better understand which reactions may be caused by vaccines and how to reduce even further thealready low risk of complications.

Severe reactions to immunizations, such as a very high fever [over 104.5°F (40.28°C)]or difficulty breathing, are rare. If you or your child has an unusual reaction, notify your health professional.

How effective are immunizations at preventing disease?

Although no vaccine is 100% effective, most routine childhood immunizations are effective for 85% to 95% of the children whoreceive them.

Some people do not develop complete immunity even when they have had the vaccine. If these people are exposed to the disease, theyare likely to become infected. However, symptoms are usually milder as a result of having had the vaccine.

Can vaccines cause other diseases?

Some people have voiced concern about vaccines that contain thimerosal, a mercury compound additive that kills bacteria.

Some people believe that the thimerosal or other components of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine can cause autism.Symptoms of autism often are first noticed around 1 year of age. Because children also receive the MMR vaccine around their first birthday, somepeople assume there is a link. However, recent studies have found no scientific proof linking adverse effects (such as autism) withthimerosal.

Measles, mumps, and rubella are potentially serious diseases that can cause permanent damage and disability to a child,possibly even death.2, 3 A child who does not have the MMR vaccine is at a much greater risk for developing measles, mumps, or rubella than he or she is fordeveloping autism.

Should I get additional immunizations for protection against possible bioterrorism?

The possibility that biological weapons exist has alarmed many people. In response to the potential threat of these weapons,the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations for some people against anthrax and smallpox.

Anthrax recommendation

Anthrax vaccinations are recommended for some laboratory workers, people who work with animals imported from locationswithout adequate safety standards (such as veterinarians who travel to work in other countries), and certain military personnel. Pregnant womenin any of these categories should be vaccinated only if necessary. Anthrax vaccination is not recommended for the general public because of their lowrisk of infection, and because supplies of the vaccine are very limited.

Smallpox recommendation

Smallpox vaccination recommendations are under review. At this time, vaccination is not recommended for the generalpublic. The U.S. government recommends the vaccine for:

• Laboratory workers who directly handle cultures or animals contaminated or infected with viruses in the same family as smallpox.