Facts of immunisation
Australian research shows that some parents are concerned about vaccine safety and effectiveness. It is important for parents to understand that the risk of complications from childhood diseases such as measles is much higher than the risk of reactions after immunisation. When parents of young children have had no direct experience of childhood diseases, it is easy to underestimate their effects and complications.
Immunisation and the immune system
Myth: The body’s immune system can cope with infection without the help of vaccines.
Fact: The immune system is a collection of specialised cells and chemicals that fight infection. Each time an infectious bacterium, fungus or virus (germ) is overcome, the immune system ‘remembers’ …show more content…
Immunisation and vaccine safety
Myth: Vaccines cause side effects and should be avoided.
Fact: Vaccines provide a safe and efficient way to prevent the spread of many communicable diseases. Every vaccine used in Australia has been thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness, approved for use by theTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and is subject to ongoing monitoring and evaluation. However, vaccines are like any other medication and they may trigger side effects but these are mostly mild. This is why parents are generally advised to remain at the clinic for at least 15 minutes after their children are immunised. In the majority of cases, side effects are mild.
Immunisation and autism, diabetes and sudden unexpected death in infancy
Myth: Vaccinations can cause certain disorders, such as autism and diabetes, or contribute to the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep …show more content…
Fact: Childhood diseases such as measles and whooping cough (pertussis) are serious and potentially fatal. The risk of complications from disease is much higher than the risks of complications from immunisation.
Parents who are fearful of autism, SUDI or other disease complications may choose not to have their children vaccinated. However, if vaccination levels in the community fall too low, disease epidemics can reappear. People with little first-hand experience of childhood infectious disease can underestimate the effects and complications of infectious diseases.
Some parents worry that the measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis), but this risk for the vaccine is around one in one million. On the other hand, one in every 1,000 children who catch measles will experience encephalitis. Of these, one in 10 will die and four in 10 will have permanent brain damage
The effectiveness of immunisation
Myth: It is not worth immunising children because vaccines don’t
Australian research shows that some parents are concerned about vaccine safety and effectiveness. It is important for parents to understand that the risk of complications from childhood diseases such as measles is much higher than the risk of reactions after immunisation. When parents of young children have had no direct experience of childhood diseases, it is easy to underestimate their effects and complications.
Immunisation and the immune system
Myth: The body’s immune system can cope with infection without the help of vaccines.
Fact: The immune system is a collection of specialised cells and chemicals that fight infection. Each time an infectious bacterium, fungus or virus (germ) is overcome, the immune system ‘remembers’ …show more content…
Immunisation and vaccine safety
Myth: Vaccines cause side effects and should be avoided.
Fact: Vaccines provide a safe and efficient way to prevent the spread of many communicable diseases. Every vaccine used in Australia has been thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness, approved for use by theTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and is subject to ongoing monitoring and evaluation. However, vaccines are like any other medication and they may trigger side effects but these are mostly mild. This is why parents are generally advised to remain at the clinic for at least 15 minutes after their children are immunised. In the majority of cases, side effects are mild.
Immunisation and autism, diabetes and sudden unexpected death in infancy
Myth: Vaccinations can cause certain disorders, such as autism and diabetes, or contribute to the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep …show more content…
Fact: Childhood diseases such as measles and whooping cough (pertussis) are serious and potentially fatal. The risk of complications from disease is much higher than the risks of complications from immunisation.
Parents who are fearful of autism, SUDI or other disease complications may choose not to have their children vaccinated. However, if vaccination levels in the community fall too low, disease epidemics can reappear. People with little first-hand experience of childhood infectious disease can underestimate the effects and complications of infectious diseases.
Some parents worry that the measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis), but this risk for the vaccine is around one in one million. On the other hand, one in every 1,000 children who catch measles will experience encephalitis. Of these, one in 10 will die and four in 10 will have permanent brain damage
The effectiveness of immunisation
Myth: It is not worth immunising children because vaccines don’t