http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/10/dont-buy-vaccine-myths/
Unfortunately, there are lots of myths doing the rounds regarding vaccines. This is an issue, as people start to believe these myths are facts when that is simply not the case. There are many vaccines which have saved endless lives (you can find an article on them at Protheses Mammaires) and it is unfair that some myths are putting people off them. So we are going to quash some of the myths below so you know which ones are false.
Myth 1: Vaccines cause autism
This myth persists despite ample evidence disputing it.
For example, in a large-scale study (more than 95,000 children) published in 2015, researchers found no link between having the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the risk of developing autism. Perhaps even more important, there was no link even for children at high risk, such as those with an older sibling with autism.
That’s just the latest in a long string of research finding no causal relationship between vaccines and autism. It’s fair to look for answers when facing a tough diagnosis – but vaccines are not that answer.
Myth 2: If I “opt out” of vaccines, I’m only affecting my own health
The trouble with this falsehood is that vaccines work best when whole populations receive them.
The concept is called “herd immunity.” If most people are immune to a disease, then those who can’t be vaccinated or are at especially high risk for a disease will still get some protection – because the people around them won’t get sick.
Case in point: When young people get flu shots, older people in their community are less likely to get the flu. That matters, because older people are more susceptible to the worst symptoms of the flu.
Myth 3: If a disease has been eradicated, your children don’t need to be vaccinated against it
This thinking is wrong, and it all comes back to herd immunity.
Because of vaccines, certain diseases, including measles, have been eliminated in many locations – but not everywhere. If people, especially children, are not vaccinated, we start to see these diseases popping up again. And the saddest part is that outbreaks are preventable.
If we stop vaccinating children – on time, according to approved schedules – we put them and future generations at risk for the same catastrophic diseases our ancestors suffered from.
Myth 4: Once you’re an adult, you don’t need vaccines anymore
A lot of the debate and discussion around vaccines focuses on children, but they’re important for adults, too.
For example, some vaccines – such as tetanus, diptheria and pertussis (tDap) – require boosters over time to remain effective. Many hospitals are making sure parents and grandparents are up to date on tDap in an effort to protect children’s health, too.
Other immunizations, including the flu vaccine, come as frequently as every year. No matter your age, ask your doctor during your annual well-check about which vaccines you have received in the past and which ones you might need. And your needs will vary if you’re traveling abroad.
Myth 5: Getting a vaccine will make me sick
After getting a vaccine, you may have mild symptoms or pain. But you won’t contract the actual illness a vaccine is designed to protect you from, contrary to popular belief.
For example, the flu shot is not what we call a “live” vaccine. That means the virus it contains is not active. You can’t actually get the flu from the flu shot.
Doctors do take precautions with “live” vaccines such as MMR, which isn’t recommended for women who are pregnant, for instance. But women who are pregnant can have tDap and the flu shot. In fact, the flu shot is often recommended to prevent an unwanted sickness during pregnancy.
Some patients do have allergic reactions to vaccines. But those cases are rare, and we monitor them closely.
For most people, the protective benefits of vaccines far outweigh the mild discomfort that may come with them. And don’t forget, that protection doesn’t just matter for you – it matters for everyone around you.