Vaccination Facts
There is a lot of information out there — some good and some bad — about vaccinations. Some shots are required for school while others are not. You want to do what’s right for your child, but how do you know what that is?
Health.com recently explored 12 truths and lies about vaccines. Here are a few you might find helpful.
FALSE: Vaccines cause autism.
A small 1998 study, which was later deemed to be a fraud, caused a lot of panic for parents after wrongly reporting a connection between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. Since then, several scientific studies have found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
TRUE: Vaccines can have side effects.
The most common side effects are soreness where the shot was received and fever, both of which are best treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen in young children. A less common side effect is seizures. Some children are at greater risk for side effects.
FALSE: Vaccines guarantee protection from illness.
No vaccine can boast a 100 percent guarantee against disease, but they help a lot — especially in reducing the severity of an illness. Experts agree that the higher the rate of the population who are vaccinated, the safer it is for everyone.
For more information about vaccines, including a chart on those recommended for children from birth through 6 and which ones are required for school, visit the CDC website or call toll-free 800-232-4636.
