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What are the Risks of Immunizations?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Immunizations are associated with certain well-known risks. However, they are often associated with risks that have not been proven, such as a possible connection between autism and immunizations. Many people choose not to immunize their children because they believe that they create more risks for their children than contracting the diseases would. This has not been born out by statistical evidence, nor is it the position of the most recognized medical organizations in the world, like the American Medical Association (AMA), or the World Health Organization (WHO).

The identifiable risks with vaccinations are complications from the vaccination, allergic reaction to a vaccination, or exposure to thimerosal, which contains mercury. Risks not associated with immunizations include increased rates for autism, or reduced capacity of the immune system.

The chicken pox vaccination has been associated with the occasional case of chicken pox.
The chicken pox vaccination has been associated with the occasional case of chicken pox.

The most common reactions associated with vaccinations are fever, soreness at the sight of the shot, and occasionally rash. Most often fever is one of the risks associated with the Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine, and with the Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTP) shot.

The live polio vaccination was thought to possibly cause polio in some children and those caring for young children who were immunosuppressed were at minor risk of contracting the disease from children’s feces or body fluids. Now children are usually given a dead polio vaccine shot first before giving the live polio vaccine drops to minimize risks of contracting the disease.

Keeping a record of immunizations can help eliminate some risks associated with immunizations.
Keeping a record of immunizations can help eliminate some risks associated with immunizations.

The chicken pox vaccination has also been associated with the occasional case of chicken pox, or with not providing total immunity from chicken pox. However, it can be stated that the risk of getting chicken pox from the vaccine is minor. If a child does get chicken pox from the vaccine it is usually a fairly mild version. Furthermore, children without complete immunity often have a very mild version of chicken pox if they contract it at a later time.

A fever may result from the MMR or DTP vaccinations.
A fever may result from the MMR or DTP vaccinations.

The greatest risks associated with the meningitis vaccination now recommended for children at age 11 or 12, is pain from the vaccine, and pain at the site of the vaccine for several days to weeks afterwards. This far outweighs the risks associated with contracting meningitis, which can quickly cause death.

Some vaccinations can cause complications. For example the flu vaccine can, though rarely, cause paralysis of the face, called Bell’s Palsy. Others are concerned about giving the flu vaccine to children since many versions contain thimerosal. In fact, concern over this mercury-containing agent, which is used to protect the integrity of the vaccine, has led to most children’s vaccines being made without thimerosal.

Some parents are against immunizing their children because they believe the chances of vaccine injury are much higher than reported.
Some parents are against immunizing their children because they believe the chances of vaccine injury are much higher than reported.

There are now companies also manufacturing flu vaccine without thimerosal for those parents who feel that the risks associated with exposure to thimerosal outweighs the benefits of being protected from the flu. So far, a link between thimerosal and autism has not been established or proven. In fact, in many cases, statistical studies show that autism develops where no vaccine with thimerosal has been given.

While the flu vaccination is safe for most people, no vaccine is 100% safe for everyone.
While the flu vaccination is safe for most people, no vaccine is 100% safe for everyone.

The most dangerous risks associated with immunizations are the rare allergic reactions or seizures resulting form a vaccine. If your child has had an adverse reaction to a certain immunization in the past, it is important to inform a doctor before the child receives other immunizations. Again, however, benefits outweigh risks. Far more children suffer adverse reactions from contracting a disease because they are not immunized, than they do from having an allergic reaction to a shot.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon171570

There are health risks involved in almost any activity. Immunizations have nearly wiped out a lot of dangerous diseases that are still common in other parts of the world. I do not have children but if I do, I will immunize them.

Has the risk of a polio outbreak crossed your mind? If your child has not been immunized, looks like they may be headed for a wheelchair. This sort of behavior has gotten way out of hand. This is a knee jerk reaction to some rare and extreme circumstances. Get over yourselves.

anon91056

This is an irresponsible article. Thimerosal was removed from most childhood vaccines nearly a decade ago (and autism rates did not fall, they actually increased so no correlation between thimerosal and autism).

Even if Thimerosal was used the amount of Hg in the entire vaccine schedule amounts to half of one can of tuna. Further, there is a difference between elemental mercury (harmful) and ethyl mercury (not harmful). Ethyl mercury is used in thimerosal and in minute quantities.

anon52186

My 11 son was a happy normal child until he got a tetanus shot. Within two weeks his personality changed totally. He gets hysterical and has anxiety attacks, which he had never had. He screams hysterically and tries to jump out of the car and will not go to school, just wants to stay home.

These attacks come and go. Our happy family is now in chaos and worried sick. We have an appointment with a psychiatrist for him this week. Nobody should ever get any vaccine. They are pure poison chemicals and bacteria but they bring the pharmaceutical companies millions of dollars.

anon43879

eating healthy is great and I totally agree on the issue of nursing babies, but right now if I vaccinate my kids, I'm protecting any unvaccinated child. It's expected as the herd thins and fewer children are vaccinated, vaccinated kids will no longer be able to provide this benefit to unvaccinated peers. Virtually all diseases for which we vaccinate also have death as a side effect, only in far greater numbers than do the vaccinations themselves.

anon42853

One word absent from this endorsement: death.

Pretty serious side effect.

If you look at the diagrams and literature next time you're sitting in the doctor's office you'll see they were all made by pharmaceutical companies.

There's not a lot of money in telling people to nurse their babies if they need immunities. Children should eat healthy. Take care of your bodies.

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    • The chicken pox vaccination has been associated with the occasional case of chicken pox.
      By: Dan Race
      The chicken pox vaccination has been associated with the occasional case of chicken pox.
    • Keeping a record of immunizations can help eliminate some risks associated with immunizations.
      By: alexskopje
      Keeping a record of immunizations can help eliminate some risks associated with immunizations.
    • A fever may result from the MMR or DTP vaccinations.
      By: robhainer
      A fever may result from the MMR or DTP vaccinations.
    • Some parents are against immunizing their children because they believe the chances of vaccine injury are much higher than reported.
      By: Ilike
      Some parents are against immunizing their children because they believe the chances of vaccine injury are much higher than reported.
    • While the flu vaccination is safe for most people, no vaccine is 100% safe for everyone.
      By: robyelo357
      While the flu vaccination is safe for most people, no vaccine is 100% safe for everyone.
    • Soreness at the injection site is one of the most common reactions associated with immunizations.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Soreness at the injection site is one of the most common reactions associated with immunizations.