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Updated: 10:26 AM Nov 18, 2009
Part 2: Vaccine Facts and Fears
On Monday, in Part 1 of our special report, we told you how the H1N1 vaccine was produced and why doctors say it’s safe. However, that drug is not the only one people are concerned about.
Posted: 5:19 PM Nov 17, 2009Reporter: Rhiana Huckins Email Address: rhiana@wtvy.com |
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On Monday, in Part 1 of our special report, we told you how the H1N1 vaccine was produced and why doctors say it’s safe. However, that drug is not the only one people are concerned about.
In Part 2 of Vaccine Facts and Fears, Rhiana Huckins talks about other routine vaccinations many of us have at one point received.
"I don't want to have that kind of vaccination in my child yet until I know it’s safe, 100% safe" said Kori Buro.
As a mother, Buro is skeptical of the new H1N1 vaccine, and she's not alone.
In fact, some parents are wary of having their children vaccinated against anything.
The reason? Fears the vaccine could cause other diseases.
"Many of those preservatives, especially the mercury containing ones are actually eliminated from vaccines in the United States. Not because there are any studies that were shown it caused anything, but because there was some concern that people would stop taking their vaccines," explains Dr. Paul Goepfert, professor of Medicine, UAB.
There are however some vaccines that do contain the controversial preservative thimerosal.
Some doctors and researchers say there's not enough evidence it causes any problems.
"There are small amounts of thimerosal in multi-dose vials of flu vaccine, seasonal and H1N1. Those are multi dose vials because it’s a preservative. If you have to go into a vial numerous times for a mass number of people, you do not want to contaminate that vial,” says Area Nursing Director Eileen Rogers, ADPH.
And, childhood vaccines are a concern for many parents.
A child typically starts getting immunizations at age two then at ages 4,6,9,12,15 and 18 years.
"The DTP, which is the diphtheria, tetanus and proteases, the polio, meningitis, the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against other types of meningitis. There is the new rotavirus vaccine, which is the new oral vaccine that prevents one of the most common causes of gastro neuritis and dehydration in infants and children. There was the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and the chicken pox vaccine," said Dr. Michael Ramsey, pediatrician at Dothan Pediatric Clinic.
In the United States, there are rarely cases of these diseases, but those who have witnessed an epidemic say vaccination is a good thing.
"I have talked with elderly mothers who lost babies to pneumonia following measles, and who told me horrible stories of their six children having whooping cough at the same time. They were coughing and vomiting so that she would have to put newspapers on the entire floor. We have not seen as a generation these illnesses because of vaccination," says Rogers.
Doctors say if a few children scattered across their community are not vaccinated, chances are they will be ok. However, that is likely because those kids who have gotten their shots are keeping the diseases away.
"From a societal point of view, clearly everything has risk benefit-ratio. But again, the benefits of kids getting vaccines far outweigh the risks that are possible in children," said Dr.Goepfert.
Dr. Goepert also says drug companies do not make most of their profit from vaccines.
They've come up with a system where they put money into a general fund in case they lose a lawsuit.
Dr. Goepert says the medical community would be devastated if manufacturers stopped making vaccines.
Of course, this information may have raised more questions about immunization and what is best for you.
Medical experts recommend you talk to your doctor about concerns you have about you or your child's health.
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