Myths Debunked

Most Common Myths and Misconceptions Debunked

 can you get the flu from the flu vaccine?

It is not possible to get the flu from the flu vaccine. The pathogen used is weakened or even dead and is therefore incapable of infecting the individual. The purpose of these pathogens is to elicit an immune response without causing infection. People often claim that the day after they receive the shot they have a “run down” feeling and thus they attribute it to the flu. However this is impossible in itself because even if you were infected with the flu it would take more than a day to start showing signs and symptoms.

In short it is physically impossible to become infected with the flu from the vaccine the pathogen is simply not strong enough.

has Thimerosal been attributed to autism or any other NEURALGIC disorders?

No, it has not. Due to the actions of Andrew Wakefield a medial doctor who fabricated scientific studies for monetary gain, this is a common misconception. Countless studies have been done refuting Wakefield’s claims and it has also been proven that he lied regarding his findings. Thimerosal has never been attributed to Autism or any other negative effects. In fact the CDC withdrew thimerosal from vaccines (with the exception of some flu vaccines) in 2000 due to public hysteria regarding the myths. Since the withdrawal of thimerosal Autism rates have continued to rise indicating that there is no relation between the two. We do not know much about what causes autism but most of what we are discovering indicates it is genetically associated and begins in the womb before vaccines are delivered.

In short this is common misconception due to a falsified medical study released by Dr. Andrew Wakefield. Autism has never been scientifically correlated to Thimerosal despite countless medical studies.

are Vaccines intended to enrich Doctors and Pharmaceutical Companies?

No, this is far from the truth. In fact not many companies are manufacturing vaccines anymore because there is not much money associated with their production. For example the MMR vaccine costs roughly 20$ to produce and is only given 2 times throughout ones lifetime. If Pharmaceutical companies wanted to make money they would produce a medication like Lipitor where the patient is consuming it daily, often for the remainder of their lifetime.

In short if the goal of pharmaceutical companies were to make money they would spend their time with medications that were more expensive and that the patient would be on for a longer duration.

is it true that Too many vaccines can overwhelm a child’s immune system?

This is not true at all. Since the second an infant leaves their mothers womb they are no longer in a sterile environment and are exposed to millions of pathogens. All the vaccines currently given to infants combined would not overwhelm the child’s immune system. The amount of pathogenic material contained in vaccines would take up less than 1% of the child’s immune potential. Also even though we are giving more vaccines than we did previously they contain fewer pathogens then they used to. This is because we are more efficient than we were 20 years ago; the amount of antigenic material found in the small pox vaccine is more than is found in all of the other vaccines combined.

In short the amount of pathogenic material found in all current vaccines combined would take up less than 1% of your child’s immune system. Immune overload is not possible.   

   

Havent these major diseases DISAPPEARED?  

No not entirely, these diseases are no longer apparent because of vaccinations. If we stop vaccinating, we will see these preventable diseases again. Measles outbreaks are still common in some developing countries where vaccines are not readily available.  Recently America has begun to see measles and whooping cough cases resurface due to the decline in vaccination levels which makes immunization all the more important. 

In short these diseases are not longer among us because of the vaccines we have that prevent them.

is it true that The Hepatitis B vaccine has been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

There is a common misconception that vaccination against HBV has coincided with an increase in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). More that 90% of children in the United States receive the Hepatitis B vaccine and SIDS has dropped in the last few years. What is happening is the opposite of the misconception. In most cases children who are being immunized against Hepatitis B are at less of a risk of developing SIDS. The decline of SIDS incidence could also be attributed to the American Academy of Pediatrics who recommends that infants should always sleep on their backs. Among other things if Vaccines were the cause of SIDS changing the child’s position when sleeping would not prevent the disorder.

-This article was written by Johanna Diaz

References

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DAVID, BUTLER-JONES. "Vaccine Myths Dangerous." The Times - TranscriptABI/INFORM Complete; Hartford Courant; Hoover's Company Profiles; ProQuest Central; ProQuest Criminal Justice. May 23 2005. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

Dr, Paul A. "The Vaccine-Autism Myth." Press - Telegram: 0. ABI/INFORM Complete; Hartford Courant; Hoover's Company Profiles; ProQuest Central; ProQuest Criminal Justice. Sep 19 2005. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

"Vaccine Education Center ." Children's Hospital of Philadelphia . N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012..

Krugman, Saul. "Hepatitis B Vaccine ." The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 1.4 (1982): n. pag. LWW. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

Howard, Beth. "10 Vaccine Myths-Busted." Baby Talk 2005: 52,54,56. ABI/INFORM Complete; Hartford Courant; Hoover's Company Profiles; ProQuest Central; ProQuest Criminal Justice. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

Simone , B, P Carillo-Santisteve, and P L Lopaco. "HEALTHCARE WORKERS’ ROLE IN KEEPING MMR VACCINATION UPTAKE HIGH IN EUROPE: A REVIEW OF EVIDENCE." Eurosurveillance 17.26 (2012): n. pag. Euroservillance . Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

"Flu Vaccine Myths." Consumer Reports on Health 2009: 2-. ABI/INFORM Complete; Hartford Courant; Hoover's Company Profiles; ProQuest Central; ProQuest Criminal Justice. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

"Study Debunks Vaccine 'Myths'." Harbour City Star: 0. ABI/INFORM Complete; Hartford Courant; Hoover's Company Profiles; ProQuest Central; ProQuest Criminal Justice. Feb 09 2008. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.