The trend of vaccinating one's child is, incomprehensibly, declining more and more. It is alarming that many parents even send their unvaccinated children to so-called measles parties. They let the healthy child be with children who are currently going through an illness, in the hope that their child will become infected and thus form antibodies against the virus. The parents do not realize what risk they are exposing their child to, not to mention the long-term consequences!
What vaccinations are there?
Every child should receive basic immunization. The standard vaccinations are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis (polio), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), influenza, meningococci, pneumococci, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
What exactly is a vaccination?
During a vaccination, weakened pathogens or their toxins are injected. These are already so weakened that they do not cause an infection but encourage the body to form antibodies. However, these antibodies usually only last for a few years, which is why it is important to have the vaccinations refreshed about every 10 years. If a child has already had a disease, however, it forms antibodies that last its whole life. But the price for this can be high and may have potential long-term consequences. In the past, there was also the oral vaccination for some diseases, where a piece of sugar was administered on which the pathogen was given in drop form. Today, however, this is no longer done; according to studies, too few antibodies were formed in this way. Therefore, there was no sufficient protection.
Are there risks with vaccinations?
Yes and no. Vaccination is an intervention in the body and the immune system; every intervention can, of course, also carry risks. In most cases, children have slight redness or swelling at the injection site, which usually subsides after a few days. Some children also get a fever, but this can be managed with a fever-reducing medication. After a few days, the child is fit again. In the rarest of cases, a real vaccination injury can occur, which can lead to brain damage. However, this is so rare that it is hardly worth mentioning. After all, the vaccine would otherwise be taken off the market immediately!
Most children tolerate the vaccinations very well, and therefore it is a pity that so many parents speak out against vaccination. After all, they are risking the health and lives of their children. Very few realize that a child can die from tetanus and diphtheria, and that a child who contracts polio will, in a mild case, have a disability for life. It is simply incomprehensible, and therefore everyone who has a child should think about whether they want such a future for their child!
Read also: Proper Nutrition
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
