Covid-19 infection is rapidly spreading, while influenza is expected to increase in autumn and winter and rotavirus diarrhea, which affects millions of children around the world.
Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Öğr. Member Müjde Arapoglu stated that although diseases gained weight with pandemic factors during pandemic periods, there was also an overall increase in other diseases afterwards, and “Routine childhood vaccinations during and after the pandemic period should not be neglected in order to prevent this increase. In our country, routine immunization against 13 childhood diseases, as well as optional meningitis and rotavirus vaccines are applied. Vaccines are not protective when they are made in insufficient doses, it is absolutely necessary to finish the first series of vaccines and then apply doses again.”
Dr. Lecturer Member Arapoglu explained eight well-known mistakes about vaccines in society and gave important warnings and recommendations.
1 – Isn’t it better if we are naturally immunized? What’s the need for a vaccine if we’re going to get sick anyway: Wrong
Some infections, such as chickenpox and tuberculosis, are passed on despite vaccination. Yes, there are some vaccines that do not exceed 85 percent protection, but vaccination allows the patient to pass these infections lightly even if they pass them, the side effects of diseases are much less common in vaccinated children. However, even though we have some diseases, it is not possible to gain full immunity. For example, sometimes there is no full recovery after hepatitis B contact, 10 percent of patients remain carriers.
2 – Short-term side effects of vaccines are dangerous: False
Vaccines can have side effects, but usually these side effects are insignificant. Side effects such as mild fever, resentment, redness and swelling can be seen at the injection site. Some vaccines can lead to temporary headaches, dizziness, weakness and loss of appetite. Rarely, neurological side effects such as allergic reactions and remittations can occur in children. Even if these rare side effects cause concern, vaccines are much safer than contracting deadly diseases.
3 – Vaccines contain many foreign substances such as mercury, aluminum and thiomeresal. These rarely trigger autoimmune diseases, autism and brain damage. Why we should experience these side effects for diseases with low survival rates: False
There are no clear studies that have been proven by scientific data that vaccines cause these side effects. Current vaccines also do not have harmful forms of these substances. Contrary to popular belief, vaccine side effects are quite small, whereas the rate of contracting vaccine-protected diseases and experiencing complications of these diseases are much higher.
4 – If we apply multiple diseases or combination vaccines at the same time, the side effects of vaccines are much greater: False
Dr. Lecturer “Many vaccines can be used simultaneously. If more than one vaccine was administered on the same day, there is no evidence that the side effects will be excessive. Combination vaccines are safe. Live virus vaccines should be administered either on the same day or four weeks apart.”
5 – Making multiple vaccines at once puts a lot of strain on the child’s immune system: False
There is no evidence that making multiple vaccines has a negative effect on the immune system. Our immune system has the power to fight many different diseases at the same time. It is a condition in which our immune system, which produces antibodies against harmful organisms at the same time, is expected to develop antibodies against several vaccines at the same time.
6 – We need to get the flu vaccine without having a cold. We don’t need to be vaccinated against flu after cough, cold symptoms begin: Wrong
The flu vaccine protects us against influenza, which is the most severe flu. It is not effective against seasonal cold viruses that are passed throughout the year. Even if we have a cold, we should get the flu shot.
7 – There were not so many vaccines in the old years and people lived healthy lives for many years. Today, vaccines containing preservatives, such as foods with many additives, pose a risk: False
In the old years, the disease factors were different. For each period, the current risk is against which infectious disease is vaccinated against it. Thanks to widespread immunization, many deadly diseases have been prevented.
8 – There are many side effects related to vaccines, but vaccine companies prevent them from being known: Wrong
Dr. Lecturer “The side effects of vaccines are monitored day by day by independent scientific organizations (World Health Organization, Specialty Associations, European Centre for Disease Control, etc.) and national health authorities. There are vaccine side effect monitoring systems that work very diligently all over the world. When the slightest doubt occurs, commissions of independent scientists are established and investigated, discussed in scientific settings and results are announced. If the decision is taken not to apply, the vaccine studies will be expanded and the vaccine cannot be used until it is safe. Today, studies for covid-19 vaccine are carried out in a similar way.”