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by Borden Black
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fter receiving her routine vaccinations, Lora Lyon’s infant daughter Hannah experienced
a high fever and cried inconsolably for a day. “It was very strange,” Lyon said.
She hadn’t seen that reaction with her two boys, so she started researching. The registered
nurse discovered reports of health problems happening to children who experienced fever
and screamed for hours after their inoculations.
Lyons has decided to postpone the remaining shots for Hannah until she is 2. She observes that children’s development is so critical before that age, and there is no way to know if the vaccinations have changed their personality or ability and cognition levels.
While not opposed to vaccines in general, Lyons is against the one-size-fits-all approach to how they are administered and the number of shots now required. “The idea that vaccinations should be given across-the-board to every child regardless of circumstances doesn’t take into account family history, ethnic background and other factors,” she said, and added, “Combination vaccines are very, very scary to me. What are we doing to our children’s immune systems by overburdening them with so many things to react to at once?”
Margaret Gosden raised two children and has three grandchildren. All received their shots on schedule and even before they were mandated. “The risk of complications and death from diseases so far outweighs any miniscule risk connected with a vaccine, it’s a no-brainer.” She believes that it is just coincidental that delays in development are noted and come to the surface at the same time as a child is inoculated.
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“Immunizations prevent a lot of diseases that have compli-cations, and they have elimi-nated serious medical pro-blems,” Dr. Jennifer Evange-lista points out.
Not only is she an advocate as a doctor, but as a parent, Dr. Evangelista made sure her four children received their shots on schedule. “We would never do anything for own children if we thought there was a risk.”
The pediatrician believes that the benefits from vaccinations far outweigh any risks and notes that as the result of a vaccine, polio has been virtually eliminated. “Our goal is to prevent diseases and keep kids healthy.”
The medical community overwhelmingly supports vaccination as an effective and safe way to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of infectious illnesses. Nonetheless, thousands of families are seeking compensation for autism and other developmental disabilities that they claim were caused by vaccines and a mercurybased preservative, thimerosal.
Just recently the Associated Press reported that government health officials have conceded that a vaccine “contributed” to a Georgia girl’s autism symptoms, recommending that her family receive compensation from a federal vaccine-injury fund. The lawyer representing the federal officials said, however, that the government “has not conceded that vaccines cause autism.”
The National Network for Immunization Information (NNII) reports that evidence based on well-established scientific studies does not support a link between vaccines and autism. It also asserts that there has been no thimerosal preservative in USlicensed vaccines given to children less than 6 months of age since early 2003.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, while about 90 percent of American toddlers receive the most critical doses of vaccines, around 900,000 children under age 2 still have not received all their immunizations.
For some mothers, growing concern about the effects of vaccine combinations and preservatives keeps them from getting the shots for their children at early ages. For others, cost, inconvenience or lack of knowledge is the problem.
Cost should not be a barrier, health officials say. Anyone can get their immunizations from the Columbus Department of Public Health. They just need to fill out a registration form and provide their previous vaccination history. During National Infant Immunization Week, April 21 – 25, the health department will offer free vaccinations for children ages 6 weeks through 18 years. The theme for this year’s immunization week is “Love Them, Protect Them, Immunize Them.”
Colethia Moore, child health nurse manager with the Columbus Department of Public Health, says their focus right now is on children who will soon be starting school. The state requires that children are adequately immunized prior to entering school or daycare. Moore says parents should keep a copy of their child’s shot record, but if they do not have a record, they should check with their provider to see which vaccines are needed.
The Columbus Department of Public Health’s goal is to have 100 percent of children vaccinated. Moore says that audits of day care, pre-K and kindergarten show they are doing well with a 94 percent vaccination rate. One of the goals of Public Health is to educate parents about the importance of immunizations and to provide protection against vaccine preventable diseases.
While Lyon agrees that doctors know what is best in general, she feels it is important for moms to make informed decisions about healthcare. “Your job is to investigate,” she said.
“We try to be very conscientious toward parents who have concerns,” said Dr. Evangelista. “We encourage people to think about the risks versus the benefits and the pediatrician can give good medical evidence and alleviate any concern.” She adds that parents need to be discerning. “You need to be informed and know who is informing you.
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