Vaccines are controversial; they shouldn’t be. The facts are that vaccines are well-studied and effective, but because of the misinformation and disinformation polluting social media channels, it can be challenging to see the truth.
Let’s break it down.
Are Vaccines Safe?
First of all, vaccines are safe, effective, and necessary for the population’s general health. Without vaccines, we would see the return of long-forgotten diseases that have been under control for decades. This resurgence could result in widespread sickness and death.
Before any vaccine is made available to the public, it goes through years of testing and evaluation for it to be licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Tests are conducted in clinical trials that begin with 20 to 100 volunteers being vaccinated. After the initial tests, trials with thousands of volunteers are conducted. These tests and clinical trials take several years before the vaccine’s safety is verified, the correct dosage is determined, and the immune system reaction is gauged.
But the testing doesn’t end after a vaccine has been approved. Every batch of vaccine produced is tested for potency, purity, and sterility, and the results are reviewed by the FDA to ensure quality and safety standards are being met.
Once a vaccine has proven safe and effective, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a vaccine schedule. The vaccine schedule is s endorsed by multiple independent scientific and medical bodies, such as the American Academy for Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the Indiana State Department of Health.
What About the Side Effects?
Just as any other medication can, yes, vaccines can cause side effects. However, the majority of these side effects are mild and consist of swelling, soreness, and redness at the injection site.
It is possible to suffer from achiness, a fever, or a rash, but serious side effects such as a seizure or a life-threatening allergic reaction are rare and are estimated to occur in only one out of one million doses. In the rare event that a serious side effect does occur, it is immediately reported to the CDC and investigated. All side effects are monitored through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
When we can prevent so many diseases, skipping vaccines because of misinformation is a tragedy, the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks.
So, are vaccines safe? Yes, they are.
For more information about vaccine safety, read our post: Vaccine Myths: Get the Facts.
