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The simple truth is that vaccines have saved countless lives over the decades.
“With the exception of clean water, the vaccine had the biggest impact on public health,” said Ann Falsey, an infectious disease researcher at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). “They eradicated natural PO, almost eliminated polio, dramatically reducing diseases like measles, whooping cough, and rubella. Their success led to a paradox. These diseases are now rare, so people forget how catastrophic they are.”
A decline in vaccination rates lead to outbreaks that underscore the continued importance of vaccines, such as the recent revival of measles.
We asked Dr. Falsedy, co-director of the Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit, and MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MPH, pediatric primary care providers and vaccination provider researchers, to provide an overview of vaccines to help maintain all disease-free health.
Vaccine safety
“Yes, the vaccine is safe. Like other medical interventions, they can have side effects, but the majority are mild and short-lived, including arm pain and low-grade fever. Severe side effects are extremely rare,” Dr. Foredy said.
Vaccine development is a rigorous process. It starts with preclinical research in labs and animal studies, followed by multiple stages of assessment of safety, administration, and efficacy in large clinical trials. After a successful trial, regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration review the data prior to approval. Vaccines will undergo continuous surveillance after distribution to ensure long-term safety and detect rare side effects.
We know from experience. URMC scientists have helped develop an HPV vaccine that protects against cervical cancer. Newborns around the world will receive vaccines created by URMC researchers against influenza type B (HIB), which effectively wiped out the leading causes of meningitis in preschool children.
Our researchers also played a major role in clinical trials that led to the development of vaccines for H5N1 avian influenza, Covid, and RSV.
Why did Covid vaccines become available for quick approval?
“The Covid vaccine has received the same strict evaluation as other vaccines, but the global public health emergency has helped drive the process,” Dr. Falsed said. Basic mRNA technology has been researched for decades, and vaccines have been rapidly developed thanks to existing scientific knowledge, unprecedented resources and global collaboration. The large-scale trial provided robust safety and efficacy data reviewed by an independent safety board and regulatory body prior to approval.
There is no link between autism and vaccines
“This claim that vaccines cause autism is based on research that was retracted due to fraud in the 1990s,” Dr. Rand said. “A wide range of studies, including studies tracking millions of children, finds that there is no link between vaccines and autism.”
Experts believe the increase in autism diagnosis has been improved and improved diagnostic criteria rather than vaccines. Major health groups, including the CDC and WHO, have confirmed that the vaccine is safe and does not cause autism.
Pediatric vaccine schedules containing multiple vaccines at younger ages are based on the prevalence of disease within the environment, with specific timings to maximize protection when children are most vulnerable. The science behind the schedule ensures sophisticated safety so that vaccines contain minimal antigens and reduce the burden on the immune system.
HPV vaccines are safe and prevent cancer
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine sold under the name Gardasil is a highly effective and safe vaccine that has been thoroughly researched since its approval 19 years ago. Some are developed in URMC and help to prevent neck and oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV.
“When given millions of doses worldwide, its safety profile is robust and side effects are usually mild, including pain at the injection site,” Dr. Rand said.
Studies have shown that vaccines significantly reduce strains that cause HPV infections, particularly neck and oropharyngeal cancer. More recent studies have shown that vaccines reduce the incidence and precursors of cervical cancer in cervical cancer.
Is it better to get sick than immunizing through a vaccine?
Innate immunity caused by infection has the potential to provide broader protection. However, diseases that can be prevented with many vaccines can cause severe complications, long-term health problems, or death.
for example:
- Measles can cause encephalitis (brain swelling) and permanent disability.
- Polio can cause paralysis.
- Covid has resulted in millions of hospitalizations and deaths around the world.
“Vaccinations provide immunity without the risks associated with natural infections, making them safer and wiser choices,” Dr. Falsed said.
The impact of vaccines on public health
Vaccination not only protects individuals, but also vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals who are unable to be vaccinated. In pandemics like Covid, vaccinations to Wise prevent hospitals from overloading and protecting public health.
“Continued vaccinations ensure immunity in the herd, preventing outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations,” Dr. Rand said. “Overall, vaccines are one of the most effective tools of modern medicine to protect public health and prevent disease revival.”
