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Health Insurance
Vaccines Save Lives
by Steven D. Bevier
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Sometimes the biggest health problems facing children are also the easiest to avoid. Over the last hundred years, vaccines have saved millions of lives through the prevention of dozens of serious diseases. Yet, fear and misunderstanding of these vaccines still prevent many children from receiving these all-important immunizations.
Immunization is the most important issue in children’s health today, according Joel Greenberg, D.O., chairperson of pediatrics at the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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Maria Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., visits one of her young patients at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
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“Just in the time that I have been a doctor,” he explains, “we have seen three or four diseases completely disappear because of vaccines. Yet, we still see children die from illnesses that can be prevented by immunization.”
Maria Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., has been at MSUCOM since 1972. She is professor of pediatrics and microbiology and molecular genetics, and specializes in the treatment of infectious diseases. She says that misinformation and misunderstanding keep many children from getting the necessary vaccines. “There are some smart, caring parents who are not sure what the right answers are.”
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Parents often worry that vaccines will transmit the very diseases they are designed to protect against, or worse, the vaccines will cause other illnesses. One of the more common misperceptions about vaccines is that there is a link between autism and MMR, the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella and one of the most common childhood immunizations. This theory arose because the first signs of autism are generally recognized around the same age that children receive MMR. Despite little evidence to support such a link, much of the public still believes that it exists.
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Dr. Patterson stresses that not only are vaccines usually safe, the risks of not having your child immunized are greater. There are several reminders she gives to parents who are unsure about immunizing their child. One is that infected children can transmit disease to others. Even if your child is healthy and experiences a vaccine-preventable disease without serious problems, he or she can still pass disease to family members or other children who may be immunologically compromised.
Vaccines have also made some diseases – such as diphtheria and polio – so rare that if a child does contract one it may be misdiagnosed or mistreated. “Some physicians have never seen these diseases clinically,” says Dr. Patterson, and younger generations are unaware how devastating these illnesses can be.
Another concern for some parents is the belief that young children can’t handle the high number of shots that are recommended. Dr. Patterson says that children’s immune systems are quite resilient and can handle all of the various vaccines. She tries to provide parents with as much information as possible so that they know the true benefits of immunization and will schedule the recommended shots without worry.
Dr. Patterson adds that these issues extend beyond children since vaccines are markedly underutilized in adults. She says, “We all have to be vigilant to preserve the profound public health milestones we have achieved with vaccines.”
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Correction: The print version of Communiqué contains a photo caption that reads "Maria Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., visits one of her young patients at Ingham Regional Medical Center." The photo was actually taken at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. We regret the error.
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