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Research shows the benefits far outweigh the risks
In recent years, parents have heard conflicting and confusing stories about the potential risks of vaccines. But physicians at three respected Lowcountry pediatric practices — Seaside Pediatrics, Beaufort Pediatrics and Palmetto Pediatrics of the Low Country — see no conflict. They share the same view: Immunizations save lives. All three practices follow the recommended schedule from the Centers for Disease Control.
Dr. Francis Rushton of Beaufort Pediatrics and Dr. Annette Thomas of Palmetto Pediatrics offered their expert opinions on the benefits of immunizing children.
“When you don’t vaccinate your children, you’re not only putting them at risk for dangerous diseases, you’re also risking the health of the children they come in contact with.”
Rushton believes that vaccines are the biggest reason for the 70 percent drop in childhood mortality in the last century. “In the last 20 years, we’ve seen the disappearance of such deadly diseases as bacterial meningitis and epiglottitis. Vaccines have been remarkably effective in reducing deaths and eliminating chicken pox and measles, and there has even been a slight decrease in ear infections,” he said. “When you don’t vaccinate your children, you’re not only putting them at risk for dangerous diseases, you’re also risking the health of all the people they come in contact with, particularly infants who have not yet been vaccinated and the elderly, for whom these diseases are particularly life-threatening.”
Rushton believes that some of those who are wary of immunizing children are young and don’t have memories of how devastating diseases like diphtheria and polio — which are now preventable — were. Noting that the biggest risk of vaccines is anaphylactic shock, he added, “I have not seen a single such reaction in 30 years of practice; the vaccines used today are far less reactive than those used even 10 years ago.”
Thomas, a pediatrician with Palmetto Pediatrics on Hilton Head Island, agrees. “I think the reason that immunization concerns have surfaced in recent years is a coincidence of timing. Children are often vaccinated at the age when development issues tend to emerge. I understand parents’ concerns. They’re advocates for their children, and I’m happy to discuss their concerns with them. However, the good that vaccines do is so apparent. I advise parents that immunizations protect their children and others. The benefits far outweigh the risks.” Like Rushton, Thomas has not seen any adverse reactions to immunizations in her years of pediatric practice.
Both doctors also recommend the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer for girls ages 12 and up. “We’ve waited so long and worked so hard for cancer cures. This is a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of all that work,” said Thomas. “Immunizations have been at the forefront of children’s health. We know how much good vaccines can do.”
FIND OUT MORE
Recommendations, schedules and resources about immunizations are available at www.healthychildren.org, the website of the American Academy of Pediatrics; the National Network Immunization Information’s website, www.immunizationinfo.org; and the Centers for Disease Control’s website, www.cdc.gov.vaccines.
