Vaccines represent one of the most important advances in medicine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)—an organization of 66,000 pediatricians committed to the well-being of all children—wholeheartedly endorses the recommended vaccination schedule created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite this, many believe that vaccinations are unnecessary, or even dangerous. Micah Resnick, MD, a board certified pediatrician at Mount Sinai Doctors Queens, explains why vaccines are safe and critically important.
Misinformation about vaccination is prevalent. Poorly conducted, debunked studies claim vaccines cause autism, and well-meaning but ill-advised parents assert that too many vaccinations are administered. If you have concerns about vaccinations, I encourage you to talk to your child’s health care provider. Get your questions answered. Feel comfortable. Then, get your child vaccinated.
Here are the facts: overwhelming scientific evidence supports the safety of vaccines.
Children who, for whatever reason, are not vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases are at risk for those diseases. Unvaccinated children also pose a significant risk for children who are medically exempt from receiving vaccines. Those medically exempt include immunosuppressed children who may be receiving chemotherapy, and children who have a severe allergy to a vaccine component or have another immunosuppressive condition.
When almost all children receive vaccines for vaccine-preventable diseases, herd immunity—a form of indirect protection from infectious disease—is achieved. Essentially, when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, a measure of protection is provided for individuals who are not immune.
What happens when we do not achieve herd immunity? Preventable outbreaks. In 2015, a measles outbreak started at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. As a result, more than 100 people contracted the extremely contagious disease. According to AAP’s statistics, more than 3 percent of kindergartners in California claimed a non-medical exemption for vaccination at the time of the outbreak. Of those who came down with measles, 83 percent were either unvaccinated or of unknown vaccine status. Forty percent of the cases were in children too young to receive the vaccine, so without herd immunity, these children remain vulnerable. We must all do our part to protect our families, our neighbors, and our fellow citizens.
There are some side effects to vaccines—tenderness at the vaccination site, mild fever, fussiness, and even a high fever which may prompt a visit to your pediatrician. But the side effects are temporary. By contrast, contraction of a vaccine-preventable disease can result in permanent disability. For example, though rare, infection from mumps can cause deafness. A parent’s best defense is vaccination.
I may sound like a bit of a scold here, but it is a reflection of how strongly I feel about helping you protect your children. During visits, I encourage parents to follow the CDC vaccination schedule. I answer their questions and highlight resources like the CDC’s “For Parents: Vaccines for Your Children” and this FAQ.
Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
Micah Resnick, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician at Mount Sinai Queens and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His clinical interests include well-child care, adolescent health, preventive medicine, and patient and family education. By educating patients and their families, he empowers them to make healthy decisions and strengthens their compliance with clinical recommendations.