The vaccines used in routine health care undergo extensive trials and testing before they are licensed and distributed to guarantee the safety of patients who receive vaccinations. According to the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the development of vaccines to “ensure their safety, purity, potency, and effectiveness”, and are “evaluated by highly trained FDA scientists and doctors”. “Currently, the United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history” (qtd. CDC Ensuring… 2013). During the development of vaccines, the CDC confirms that laboratory tests are conducted to decide whether the vaccine is safe to be tested on animals and humans in clinical trials. The CDC documents that if a vaccine
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A popular concern about vaccines is that they can cause developmental problems like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, research conducted by the CDC proves no link between vaccines and autism. The studies investigated the number of antigens (substances in vaccines that help the body produce disease-fighting antibodies) in children with and without autism; the number was the same between both sets of children in the first two years of life (CDC Vaccines Do Not). Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative in some vaccines, also does not cause autism. “Since 2003, there have been nine CDC-funded or conducted studies that have found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and ASD, as well as no link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and ASD in children” (qtd. CDC Vaccines Do Not). Vaccines also do not cause diabetes, cancer, asthma, or allergies (Myths and Realities). This information proves children will not develop any underlying condition after being vaccinated, therefore, vaccine safety should not be of concern. It is also a popular belief that inoculations are unnatural and weaken the immune system. The human body is susceptible to any infection or illness that may be encountered; however, vaccines strengthen the immune system by stimulating defense mechanisms against targeted diseases rather than weakening the body (Myths and Realities). After a baby is born, its body uses antibodies from their mothers for protection until the maternal antibodies die off at around four months (Myths and Realities). It is vital to vaccinate babies while their immune systems are still developing. When vaccinated, children grow up with immunity they can no longer receive from their mothers. Vaccines also create optimal protection against diseases. “Vaccines use a person’s natural response to disease to stimulate the immune system so that
A popular concern about vaccines is that they can cause developmental problems like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, research conducted by the CDC proves no link between vaccines and autism. The studies investigated the number of antigens (substances in vaccines that help the body produce disease-fighting antibodies) in children with and without autism; the number was the same between both sets of children in the first two years of life (CDC Vaccines Do Not). Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative in some vaccines, also does not cause autism. “Since 2003, there have been nine CDC-funded or conducted studies that have found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and ASD, as well as no link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and ASD in children” (qtd. CDC Vaccines Do Not). Vaccines also do not cause diabetes, cancer, asthma, or allergies (Myths and Realities). This information proves children will not develop any underlying condition after being vaccinated, therefore, vaccine safety should not be of concern. It is also a popular belief that inoculations are unnatural and weaken the immune system. The human body is susceptible to any infection or illness that may be encountered; however, vaccines strengthen the immune system by stimulating defense mechanisms against targeted diseases rather than weakening the body (Myths and Realities). After a baby is born, its body uses antibodies from their mothers for protection until the maternal antibodies die off at around four months (Myths and Realities). It is vital to vaccinate babies while their immune systems are still developing. When vaccinated, children grow up with immunity they can no longer receive from their mothers. Vaccines also create optimal protection against diseases. “Vaccines use a person’s natural response to disease to stimulate the immune system so that