FA16 Immunization Module’s Updates

Relative Safety of Vaccines

Given the recent reactions of parents to restrict vaccinations from their children, I feel that this topic should be revisited especially with the rapidly approaching flu season. The rationale for parents involved in the “anti-vaccinating movement” is closely associated with a Lancet article from 1998 indicating a link between the MMR vaccine and Autism (Olpinksi, 2012). Adding “fuel to the fire” is the extensive media coverage and support from high profile figures that suggest that vaccination may cause more harm than good. Despite current research, suggesting the lack of evidence for this link, many parents still do not vaccinate. This movement has led to the recurrence of many diseases, such as pertussis and measles (Olpinski, 2012). I feel that with the fear of vaccination, many parents are limiting their children from immunity from preventable diseases such as Influenza. In a review study by Halsey, et al (2015), the group mentions that influenza vaccines may have had a greater propensity to cause serious adverse reactions such as fever and febrile seizures in those produced 30-40 years ago. The cause for this may have been due to dose-related problems rather than the preparation method. Currently, vaccinations range from split virus to whole- virus mixtures and while the whole virus vaccines appear to be more effective in adults, further research is warranted to identify the full effect on children. Furthermore, in adults these current vaccines have demonstrated less systemic effects with the majority of the effects being limited to localized mild reactions. Although the influenza vaccine may cause limited adverse reactions, this group advocates for the administration of the vaccine indicating the alternative option of not vaccinating may be more detrimental to the child. Additionally, they suggest that some of adverse reactions may be caused due to different genetic dispositions in different groups of people.

 

Halsey, NA., Talaat,KR., Greenbaum, A., et al. “The Safety of Influenza Vaccines in Children: An Institute for Vaccine Safety White Paper.” Vaccine. (2015). 33;F1-F67.

Olpinski, M. “Anti-vaccination Movement and Parental Refusals of Immunization of Children in USA”. Pediatria Polska (2012). 87; 381-385.

  • Christina Tsai
  • Jonathan Silva
  • Jarod Shelton
  • Elizabeth Edwards
  • Richard Tapping
  • Hannah Stein
  • Steven Lee
  • Victoria Lu