Parenting is never easy. You want the best for your child and above all, you want to protect them. These days mis- and disinformation — especially about vaccines — is shared by everyone from social media influencers, to celebrities, and even politicians. That’s why we’re highlighting some of the most common vaccine-related myths, shedding light on the truth. Today’s blog answers three key questions: How do I know who to trust about vaccines? How many vaccines do kids need, and why? How can I be sure vaccines are safe?
How do I know who to trust?
It is completely normal to have questions about vaccines, and it’s important to question what goes into your child’s body. But don’t depend on algorithms to determine what’s best for your baby. Fear not, we’ve got a few tips to help you decipher fact from fiction. When you find yourself doubting the safety of vaccines, ask yourself the following:
- Do my concerns stem from information from someone who only shares anecdotes, stories, or case studies rather than scientific evidence?
- Do my fears come from information I learned from someone who is not an expert in the field of immunization?
- Did I learn this information from someone that has another motive, like selling alternative products or services?
- Is the information that’s causing my question coming from someone who appears biased? Is the information presented in a way that seems manipulative or alarmist?
Yes answers to any of the above questions suggest the source might not be trustworthy. They are all red flags.
Ask questions, but remember that your child’s healthcare provider is the best source to seek answers to your questions. They are there to help you feel confident in your decision to vaccinate and protect your child. It’s not safe to trust what’s on social media. And doing your own research on the internet is in no way comparable to the expertise of a trained medical practitioner who spent years in school.
How many vaccines do kids need? The recommendations seem like a lot.
There’s a lot of discussion around the number of vaccines kids get. Have you ever heard the claims that children receive too many vaccines, or that the number of recommended vaccines overloads their immune systems? These statements are both false and misleading. A better question is, “How many diseases is my child protected against?”
Today, we enjoy many of the advantages that science has brought us — programmable coffee machines, safer cars, high speed computers, cancer treatments, AI, and so much more. Vaccines are no different. Just like the rest of our advancements, vaccines have also improved. They are better and safer than they used to be. Not to mention, kids are exposed to thousands of germs that their immune systems successfully fight off every day. The vaccines they get are a tiny fraction – a drop in the ocean – of what their immune systems have to respond to. By following the routine immunization schedule, your child will be protected against 16 different diseases by age 15 months!
Let’s talk more about vaccine safety.
Did you know that we know more about vaccine safety than we do about the safety of most over the counter medications, supplements, and even many of the foods we eat? Vaccines are rigorously studied before they are approved. Afterward, they are continuously monitored for safety. Serious adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely rare, and millions of children are vaccinated safely every year.
A huge amount of scientific research goes into determining the routine childhood immunization schedule. The schedule takes into account the likelihood of exposure to diseases and the immune system’s response to vaccines. Infants and babies have the highest risk for complications from illness. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they are vaccinated on time — this way they’re protected well before they encounter dangerous germs. The routine immunization schedule provides your child the best protection possible. Yes, today’s children do get more vaccines than other generations. But progress in vaccine science allows us to protect them better than ever before, and it’s made vaccines safer.
Today’s takeaways: keep an eye out for red flags, and when you’re not sure, reach out to your healthcare provider; know that the issue is not about the number of vaccines, but rather the number of diseases we can protect kids against; and keep the faith in science — including vaccines — by following the routine immunization schedule to ensure your family has the best protection possible. Stay tuned for next month, when we’ll break down more common myths. Have questions in the meantime? Check out ImmunizeForGood.com, where you can learn more to help you feel confident in the decision to protect your child with vaccines.
Immunize Colorado was formed in 1991 in response to alarmingly low vaccination rates across the state. At the time, only about 50% of Colorado’s children were adequately vaccinated. A group of physicians and other concerned individuals came together to strategize how to protect Coloradans from vaccine-preventable diseases and increase vaccine uptake. Much work remains. You can donate or discover other ways to get involved in supporting our commitment to healthy Colorado communities today!