Four vaccination myths busted

From Vim & Vigor , March 2009
   

 

 

Fighting the good fight is easier than ever, with vaccine-preventable disease levels at, or near, an all-time low. But don't put your guard down just yet. Parents must remember that vaccines are the reason that deadly illnesses such as polio, measles and diptheria are no longer a serious threat to U.S. kids. 

Gary Wilson, M.D ., an infectious disease specialist at Owensboro Medical Health System, weighs in on the topic, addressing some common myths about vaccinations. 
 Dr. Gary Wilson, M.D.
OMHS infectious disease specialist		  
MYTH 1: It is no longer necessary to get vaccines for diseases such as diptheria and measles, which are virutally eliminated. 
TRUTH: While vaccine-preventable diseases have drastically decreased in the United States, some are prevalent, or even epidemic, in other parts of the world. Vaccinations are necessary to protect against the small number of people who cannot be vaccinated or whose immune systems do not respond to vaccines.
 
MYTH 2: The chickenpox won't hurt my children, so they don’t need to be vaccinated.
TRUTH: Prior to 1995, when the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine was licensed, the disease resulted in 11,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths annually. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that varicella is the greatest vaccine-preventable killer of U.S. children. Also, children protected from chickenpox are also protected from painful outbreaks of shingles as adults.
 
MYTH 3: Vaccinations are only for children.
TRUTH: Adults can benefit from many immunizations. Vaccines can protect against pneumonia, tetanus (recommended every 5-10 years), Hepatitis B, shingles, and even cervical cancer. Also, getting a flu shot can help prevent catching or spreading the flu, which causes 36,000 U.S. deaths, mostly among senior, and 114,000 hospitalizations annually. Flu season often lasts well into the spring, so get vaccinated now to be protected the rest of the season. 
 
MYTH 4: Whooping cough is a thing of the past. 
TRUTH: Pertussis (whoopping cough) is still a problem. Rapid, repeated coughing pulls all the air out of the lungs can bring about serious complications and can even be fatal. This infectious illness is showing up in teens and adults who aren't immunized as children, or whose immunity has worn off. Get yourself and your children vaccinated on scheduled.

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