We desire the best for our children. We know the importance of car seat safety, summer sun safety, firearm safety, and other methods to keep children safe. However, most people do not know that vaccinations are one of the best practices to protect your child. It is essential to ensure children have all their vaccinations completed because it is the most critical method to protect your child from diseases. There is a reason why measles, smallpox, and polio have become rare. These diseases are no longer considered to be pandemics due to people being vaccinated against them.We will review the following vaccines: facts vs myths.
Myth 1: Vaccinations are only used to treat sick children, and most diseases are not that dangerous.
Fact: Vaccinations can improve your child’s life: Due to increase advancements in medicine, your child can be shielded against more diseases than at any time before. Generations ago, some diseases had killed and injured thousands of people. These diseases have been reduced and, in some instances, eradicated mainly because of vaccines. Polio is one case of the significant influence that vaccines have had in our own country. Polio was once considered America’s most dreaded disease, resulting in death and paralysis across the nation. Now in recognition of vaccinations, there are no current records of this fearful disease.
Myth 2: Vaccinations consist of harmful chemicals and contain a lot of side effects.
Fact: Vaccinations are carefully reviewed by a series of healthcare personnel before being given out to patients. Vaccinations consist of mild pain or discomfort at the site of injection. However, this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and injury of the diseases these vaccinations prevent. The advantages of receiving vaccines are much higher than the possible side effects for children.
Myth 3: Most people have already vaccinated their children, so my child does need to be vaccinated.
Fact: Immunizations protects the well-being of others. Some children who are too young or who may have weakened immune systems are not able to receive certain vaccinations. We can help them by vaccinating those around them. This results in not only helping your family but also helps to prevent the spread of diseases to others.
Myth 4: Vaccines are used to drive profits.
Fact: Immunizations are considered an investment for your family. Some schools and child care amenities may not accept your child if they have not received their appropriate vaccinations. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can lead to consequences such as increase office visits, medical bills, disability care and time out of work. Furthermore, receiving vaccinations against these diseases is an excellent investment, and vaccines are generally covered by healthcare insurance.
Myth 5: Vaccine-preventable diseases are not that serious.
Fact: Immunizations are essential because they protect future generations. As mentioned previously, vaccinations have eliminated and, in some cases, eradicated many diseases that have injured or killed people years ago. If we continue to vaccinate today, then we may be able to trust that some diseases of today will no longer be around to harm children of the future.