In spite of the strict monitoring system and hundreds of research studies and articles evaluating the safety of current vaccines yet many parents remain vaccine fearful. That those vaccines can cause autism, had side effects or other health related problems.
Earlier this month, the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academies of Sciences released the first comprehensive report whether vaccines cause side effects. And the conclusion was, vaccines can cause very few side effects and the majority is short-term and self limiting but found no evidence and definitive link that it can cause autism or type 1 diabetes.
Since it’s already flu season, when you decide whether you and your child should get a flu shot, ask yourself if you really need it or not. Think about if the benefits that you get from the vaccine/s outweigh the risks. Remember that although flu vaccine is generally effective and safe but it is not for everyone. Some get sick every time they get the shot and perfectly fine if they don’t.
Proper screening and precaution before administering flu vaccine could mean a difference. And if you have other medical conditions such as asthma, neuromuscular disease and diabetes (to name a few) you are best protected if you opt NOT to get the live, attenuated influenza vaccine since the effectiveness or its safety is not known, according to reports from CDC. In other words, you should not get the FluMist or the vaccine that is given through the nose.
Lastly, the inactivated or the killed influenza vaccine does not cause facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) and doesn’t make your asthma get worse. Then make it as a habit that every time you get a vaccine or any kind of medicine that is new to you, make sure to remain in the waiting room (even if you are not told so) for at least 15-20 minutes to ensure someone can take care of you right away in case you’ll have an allergic reaction.
NB: Image from wikimedia commons.
