Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
There are "revelations" about vaccines from time to time - that they do nothing or even harm. Some vaccinate themselves and their children regularly, while others are afraid to do so. What's the real deal with vaccines?
Let us compile the most popular statements about vaccines. However, which of them are true and which are false. Here is a short "cheat sheet".
The truth about vaccines
- The best way tovirusesisvaccine
Yes. There is no cure yet that can deal with all viruses. Antibiotics have no effect on them. Therefore, treating viral diseases is very difficult. In addition, they carry serious complications that can lead, for example, to permanent liver and heart damage, neurological changes, and even death. The best way to avoid complications isvaccination .
- Most vaccines are given to infants
Yes. The immune system of young children cannot yet cope with microbes. Although a child is born from the so-called primary immunity, but the antibodies provided by the mother protect the baby for a short time, then their level gradually decreases. Vaccines stimulate toddler's immune system to fend off attacks, providing effective protection against microbes.
- Fever may develop after vaccination
Yes. Up to 48 hours after vaccination, the so-called vaccine reactions. Swelling, redness and soreness at the injection site are common local reactions to the vaccine. We may feel crushed, have headaches, lack of appetite, high temperature, sometimes our lymph nodes become enlarged. The severity of symptoms depends on individual sensitivity. When they occur, apply a cold compress of baking soda solution, take an antipyretic drug and rest more. Strenuous exercise and alcohol should be avoided on the day of vaccination (the vaccine is less well absorbed then). After 2-3 days the symptoms should disappear. In the event of high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or pale skin, you should see a doctor as soon as possible so that he can determine the cause. Such signals may indicate complications caused by a pathological reaction of the body to a correctly administered vaccine (anaphylactic reaction).
- Only completely he althy people canvaccinate
Yes. Before vaccination, each person must be examined - the doctor examines the throat and skin, auscultates the heart and lungs, asks about the diseases and medications taken, and on the basis of this interview qualifies for vaccination. Absolute contraindications are acute illness with fever, weakened immune system, hypersensitivity to the vaccine components, severe post-vaccination reactions to the previous dose. However, local reactions from previous vaccines do not disqualify.
- Pregnant women are only vaccinated when really necessary
During pregnancy, it is permissible to administer the vaccine against influenza, hepatitis B, tetanus, rabies, ie vaccines "killed". "Live" vaccines (measles, rubella, mumps, smallpox) are contraindicated. Vaccines against tropical diseases are also contraindicated during pregnancy. However, as Krzysztof Maj, MD, an obstetrician gynecologist, argues, "If there is no other option, there is an epidemic raging around or you cannot avoid going to a country where the disease is endemic (only in this area), you should consider using vaccines not recommended during pregnancy (eg against tuberculosis, meningococcus, typhoid fever, yellow fever), taking into account the potential benefits and possible risks ". Therefore, vaccination during pregnancy is always decided by the gynecologist after consulting an infectious diseases specialist, choosing the lesser evil.
It is worth knowing that in the case of vaccination against chickenpox, recommended for women who have not had it and are planning a child, you must wait at least a month with pregnancy, and in the case of vaccination against rubella - at least 1-3 months.
How do combination vaccines work?
False vaccine claims
- Vaccination against forgotten diseases does not make sense
No. Although we hardly hear about diseases such as Heine-Medina (polio) or diphtheria, we need to get vaccinated. Microbes spread rapidly and as long as isolated cases of disease occur, reducing the number of vaccinations risks causing an epidemic. For example, in the last decade in Russia, due to neglect of vaccination, there were as many fatal cases of diphtheria as in World War II!
- The vaccine may cause the disease it was intended to protect against
No. Modern vaccines consist of either non-infectious or dead microorganisms or parts thereof, so getting sick with vaccination is virtually impossible. Live vaccines can rarely cause an extremely mild disease,for example, single "smallpox" eruptions. The assumption that the vaccine can cause disease comes from the fact that sometimes we catch an infection just before or after it and wrongly blame the vaccine for it.
- Compulsory vaccinations are enough, others are unnecessary
No. Compulsory vaccines do not protect us against all infectious diseases occurring in our climate zone. To obtain full protection, they must be supplemented with recommended vaccinations - they are equally important, but unfortunately for a fee. People who have not been subject to compulsory vaccinations should be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. Those who have not had the disease should also receive a combined vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. People with weakened immunity are recommended to be vaccinated against pneumococci, and those who are in the jammed area - against tick-borne encephalitis.
- Combination vaccines are dangerous because they contain a lot of viruses
No. Although they protect against many (2 to 6) diseases, they are safe. They have been used in the world for years and have not been found to have any side effects. Combination vaccinations have the advantage over single vaccinations in that they save the child from stress because he gets fewer injections… There are also fewer post-vaccination reactions. In the first 2 years of life, according to the compulsory free vaccination program, a child must receive as many as 16 injections. Parents can, however, purchase 5- or 6-component vaccines, reducing the number of injections to either 7 or 9.
- One injection protects against disease for the rest of your life
No. Individual vaccines are used according to different schedules (1, 2, 3, and even 4 doses) within a strictly defined period. For example, 2 doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine provide life-long protection, as does hepatitis A. But the typhoid and tick-borne encephalitis vaccine protects for 3 years, and flu for only a year.
- There is no obligation to vaccinate before traveling to exotic countries
No. Certain vaccinations are compulsory, you must show a certificate at the border. Therefore, 2 months before going to the he alth care center or the infectious and tropical diseases clinic, it is worth finding out which vaccinations are necessary and which are recommended.
"Zdrowie" monthly