April 23-30 was National Infant Immunization Week. On the heels of a measles outbreak in Minnesota, this was a great time for pediatricians to re-focus on key messages about vaccines:
1. Vaccines are safe and effective. We have all followed the saga of concerns over vaccine safety and know about the many studies refuting claims that vaccines cause autism, etc. We must continue to have conversations with our parents about this and point them to accurate, factual information.
2. The success of vaccines has led to complacency about the need for vaccination. The recent measles and Hib disease outbreaks in Minnesota are startling reminders of how close these diseases are to our vulnerable infants. We must continue to remind the public about the dangers of vaccine preventable diseases and enlist allies, such as parents of children who have experienced vaccine-preventable disease, and public health authorities, wherever we can.
3. Cost should not be a barrier. The MnVFC program provides help, and free or low cost shots are available to children around the state. Check the website:
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/howpay.html
Finally, we can speak out publicly regarding the importance of vaccines for children. It’s critical for pediatricians to remain vocal about the benefits of vaccines within their own communities. Last month pediatricians from around the state sent letters to the editors of their local papers stressing the importance of immunizations -- and it’s not too late for you to do the same. Feel free to use a letter similar to the one below:
Measles is circulating through Twin Cities communities. Carried from another continent by a child too young to be vaccinated, this contagious virus has spread to more than a dozen others. Some of the children infected with measles could have been vaccinated but were not. This highly contagious virus can spread to our community or others in the state wherever there are unvaccinated children, bringing with it the risk of preventable hospitalizations for complications like dehydration, pneumonia, even death. All un-
immunized children from all segments of society are at risk.
Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious disease. Children are immunized for 14 vaccine preventable diseases by age 2. When this happens, the youngest infants in a community are protected until they are old enough to receive the vaccines.
Because of the success of vaccines, parents often are unaware that their children are at risk for so many serious and
life-threatening diseases. The recent measles outbreak is a startling reminder that continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks.
Also, parents may have heard stories about vaccines being unsafe. These fears stem from inaccurate information and misconceptions about vaccines, but the diseases they prevent are very real, and present far greater danger to children. In the course of a few decades, parents’ concerns have shifted from fear of the disease to fear of rare side effects. Immunization is extremely safe. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before they are approved for public use. They are monitored carefully by doctors, researchers and public health officials.
Immunization is one of the best ways parents can protect their children against serious disease. I encourage parents to talk to their health care provider about their concerns and to make sure their infant is up-to-date on immunizations.
As pediatricians, we are familiar with the benefits of immunizations, but many parents aren’t. Let’s do what we can to educate our communities on this topic and avoid unnecessary outbreaks in the future.
Marilyn Peitso, M.D., FAAP
MN-AAP President |
