In the history of medicine, there were few useful inventions such as vaccines.

These drugs have cleared the world of such deadly diseases as smallpox and polio.

Vaccines protect us from the annual flu epidemics.

This is a real medical miracle.

So why do people still tell so many terrible stories about immunizations and vaccines? Why are TV screens discouraged from doing vaccinations that will protect you and your loved ones from deadly diseases? Go to social networks, turn on the evening talk show, open a fresh newspaper. You can meet this misinformation everywhere.

In this article, Dr. Michael Rabovsky, a family medicine specialist from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, will tell you about the five most common myths about vaccines and vaccinations. Dr. Slovvski is in charge of the family medicine department and answers daily the questions of parents who are afraid to give children much needed vaccinations.

Myth 1. Vaccines cause autism.

This myth continues to frighten Western society, although numerous scientific studies have long refuted it. Health authorities in the US and several other countries continue to tell their parents that this is not true, but some people will better believe a popular showman without a medical diploma than medical professionals.

In 2015, the results of another scientific work were published, which denied the existence of any connection between the vaccination of the CCP (measles, mumps, rubella) and the likelihood of developing autism in children. This applies even to a group of children at increased risk who have brothers or sisters with this serious illness. The study involved over 95 thousand children.

Myth 2. The issue of vaccination concerns only me.

This extremely selfish viewpoint is dangerous for its illiteracy. At least if we talk about protection from infectious diseases. Any medical student will tell you that vaccination works best when it reaches the entire population.

If most people get vaccinated, the rest who have contraindications will be partially protected by this majority. For example, in a society where young people are actively vaccinated against influenza, the elderly even without vaccination are less likely to suffer from this infection.

But what happens if millions of people start massively abandoning the proposed vaccination? The answer is obvious: there will be an outbreak of the disease. This was repeatedly confirmed by the example of poor countries, where the problems arose not because of the fear of the layman, but because of the banal shortage of vaccines.

Myth 3. If the disease is rare, then you do not need to be vaccinated.

This is another very dangerous myth. Thanks to vaccines, we can destroy infectious disease in certain regions of the world, but not everywhere. The reservoirs of infection will always be somewhere nearby. If children stop taking vaccinations, then the same measles or rubella will immediately remind you. If we violate the generally accepted vaccination schemes, we will jeopardize the health of future generations. Health of their children and grandchildren.

Myth 4. Adult vaccines are no longer needed.

Today much controversy arises around the vaccination of adults. Some vaccines (against tetanus, diphtheria or whooping cough) require a reintroduction so that the immune defense does not weaken over time. Others, such as the seasonal flu vaccine, should be introduced every year.

How old you are, about such subtleties you need to ask your doctor during the next physical examination. The need for a new vaccination depends on many factors, including the specifics of your work and the planned trips abroad.

Myth 5. From the vaccine you can get sick.

After the introduction of the vaccine, there may indeed be unpleasant side effects, which are listed in the instructions. But you will not get sick of the disease from which you are taking.

This is completely meaningless if we are talking about so-called killed vaccines. For example, vaccines against influenza do not contain an active, living virus. They undergo the strictest multi-stage control and can not cause disease. You can not get sick with the flu after such a vaccination.

As for live vaccines that contain a weakened infectious agent, certain precautions are taken by the doctors, but in this case the risk of getting sick from vaccination is extremely low.

Some people develop allergic reactions to vaccines, but this happens very rarely.

For the vast majority of us, vaccines are not only safe, but also necessary to protect themselves from more serious and real threats. Therefore, be reasonable and keep your health!.

medbe. en.

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