UPS Healthy Connections - Informed Choices

Fact: This is not true. Many diseases do not occur or spread as much as they used to, thanks to better nutrition, less crowded living conditions, antibiotics and, most important, vaccines. However, this does not mean that the bacteria and viruses that are responsible for these diseases have disappeared. Immunizations are still needed to protect children, and adults, from many diseases.

Flu viruses (for example, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) diseases) were a major problem until a vaccine was developed for infants. Over the past several years, the number of cases of Hib declined from 20,000 to less than a few hundred. The vaccine is the only explanation for this decrease. Unvaccinated children are still at risk for Hib meningitis and other serious illnesses.

Fact: This is not true. Each year, about 9,000 people are hospitalized for complications related to chickenpox, and about 100 people die. The chickenpox vaccine will protect most children from getting chickenpox. Since the vaccine was licensed in 1995, millions of doses have been given to children in the United States. Many studies show the vaccine is safe and effective. Research is being done to see how long protection from the vaccine lasts and whether a person will need a booster shot in the future.

Fact: Without immunizations at the right times, your child can still catch infectious diseases that may cause high fever, coughing, choking, breathing problems and even brain injury. These illnesses may leave your child deaf or blind or cause paralysis.

Immunizations have reduced most of these diseases to very low levels in the United States. However, some of these diseases are still common in other parts of the world. Travelers can bring these diseases into this country. Without immunizations, these infections could quickly spread here.

Immunizations also help people who cannot be vaccinated or who do not respond to vaccines, when people around them are immunized.

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that links the DTaP or DTP shot and SIDS. This myth continues because the first dose is given at 2 months of age, when the risk of SIDS is greatest. However, research shows that these events are not connected.

Fact: Generally, a child with a minor illness can be safely immunized. Minor illnesses include the following:

low-grade fever
ear infection
cough
runny nose
mild diarrhea in an otherwise healthy child

Your child’s pediatrician will decide when the time is right to provide immunizations.

Myth: Some children have serious side effects from vaccines, so vaccines must not be very safe.

Fact: Reactions to vaccines may occur, but they are usually mild. Severe reactions to vaccines are rare. Symptoms of a more serious reaction include the following:

very high fever
generalized rash
large amount of swelling at the point of injection

If any of these symptoms occur, call your pediatrician right away.

If your child experiences any side effects after a vaccination, talk to your pediatrician. Together you can decide whether your child should receive another dose of the same vaccine.

Children with other health problems may need to avoid certain vaccines or get them later than usual. For example, children with certain types of cancers or problems with their immune systems should not get live virus vaccines like the MMR (for measles and mumps), varicella (chickenpox) or oral polio vaccines. For children with seizures, the pertussis (whooping cough) part of the DTaP vaccine may need to be delayed. Ask your pediatrician when the vaccine can be given.

Myth: Giving a child more than one immunization at a time can be dangerous.

Fact: Studies and years of experience show that vaccines used for routine childhood immunizations can be safely given together. Side effects are no greater when multiple vaccines are given together than when each vaccine is given on separate occasions. Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned about the number of vaccines your child is scheduled to receive.

Myth: Immunizations hurt.

Fact: They may hurt a little, and your baby may cry for a few minutes. There may be some temporary swelling of the place where your child was injected.

If your child is old enough to understand, explain that immunizations help prevent some very serious illnesses. Comfort and play with your child after the immunization. Acetaminophen can be used to help relieve some of the more common side effects, such as irritability and fever; but always check the dosage with your pediatrician.

Myth: Adults do not need immunizations unless they are traveling outside the country.

Fact: Vaccines are not just for travelers and kids. Far too many adults become ill, are disabled or die each year from diseases that could easily have been prevented by vaccines. Thus, everyone from young adults to senior citizens can benefit from immunizations. Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives. They are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

To reference a recommended preventive care timeline and immunization schedule, click here.

- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Immunization Program, Vaccines and Immunizations. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/. 07/07.