Vaccine Safety

Thimerosal is actually a mercury-containing organic compound that is used as a preservative in some vaccine manufacturing processes.  There is no convincing evidence that this is harmful to humans when used in these trace amounts.  For additional information on thimerosal, see The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

• FAQ: Thimerosal in vaccines

It is important to remember that your child is unprotected against a disease until he or she receives the appropriate vaccine.  Learn more about the delayed vaccine schedule promoted by Dr. Bob Sears before deciding if it is the right choice for you.  If you are still not sure, get free advice from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to help you determine whether to alter the immunization schedule.

Parents who decide to use a delayed schedule, such as that proposed by Dr. Bob Sears are actually leaving their child at risk of contracting a disease for the length of time they choose to delay the vaccines. For instance, suppose you delay a DtaP vaccination for 6 additional months, and your child is unknowingly exposed to pertussis (whooping cough) through bacteria droplets in the air.  Your child would be vulnerable to catching this highly contagious respiratory infection during the period when the vaccines were delayed.  Unfortunately, the coughing spells associated with this disease can escalate quickly, causing an inability to breathe and in extreme cases, death.

Unfortunately, vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) are not eradicated in the United States. Each year, we still see cases of VPD in our country that lead to unnecessary pain, disablement, and even death. When enough people choose not to vaccinate, disease can spread. This can sometimes be an especially difficult decision for parents, who want nothing more than to protect their child. That’s why it’s important to be informed. Just ask a grandparent or senior citizen about the horrific effects of disease that they witnessed before vaccines were available. If you still choose not to vaccinate, make sure you understand the risks.

• Risks of not vaccinating

While the Internet has become such a useful tool to our society, we have to keep in mind that website content is not formally regulated. There’s no governing authority that requires an individual to prove the validity of their website’s content. When searching for information online, make sure you look for reputable sites that base their position on scientific fact.

• Vaccine 28 Journal 2010 A postmodern Pandors's box: Anti-vaccination Misinformation on the Internet

An adjuvant is a substance that is added to a vaccine to increase the body's immune response to the vaccine. Aluminum gels or aluminum salts are the only vaccine adjuvants currently licensed for use in the U.S. Many people don’t realize that aluminum is one of the most common metals found in nature and is present in food, water, and the air we breathe. Learn more about vaccine adjuvants.

Most people do not faint when vaccinated, but some cases of fainting (also known as syncope) have been reported. Fortunately, syncope is not typically associated with serious outcomes, but can cause injuries if the person falls. To prevent falls from occurring due to fainting after vaccination, sit or lie down for 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered. Click here for more information on syncope.

Even after a vaccine has been tested and approved for use in the U.S., it continues to be tested and monitored during production. Occasionally we find that a particular batch of vaccine (known as a vaccine lot) has been recalled, typically due to concerns about the vaccine’s effectiveness. When the effectiveness or strength of a vaccine lot is in question, it may not produce an immune response that is strong enough to protect against disease. Even though there is no safety concern, patients who might have received recalled vaccine may need to be re-vaccinated. Learn more about vaccine recalls.

VAERS was established in 1990 by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to accept reports from the public on adverse events associated with vaccine licensed in the U.S.  An adverse event is any unusual or unexpected event, such as fainting, that happens after being vaccinated.  The Colorado Immunization Section's VAERS reporting policy provides guidance on reporting and encourages direct reporting to VAERS.  Even if you’re uncertain if the adverse event you experienced is related to a recent vaccination, it should be formally reported and evaluated by the FDA. Report an adverse event now.