A shot in the arm is what this country needs. No, I’m not talking about yesterday’s election. Today’s post is about vaccinations.
Flu season is upon us, and many adults will get a flu vaccine. But the battle continues over the barrage of vaccines for children: more than 25 sticks (and counting) by age two.
Are there too many vaccines for children? Is there a link between vaccines and autism? Should we vaccinate 11-year-old girls against HPV, a cancer-causing virus women “catch” by being sexually active?
For more than 10 years, I have helped pharmaceutical companies market vaccines. I worked on a child vaccine that was pulled from the market shortly after licensure because it harmed children. Do I still vaccinate my two young children? Yes. Scientific studies have not proven a relationship between vaccines and autism. A cancer vaccine sounds miraculous, especially one that would protect my young daughter against cervical cancer.
Do vaccines have side effects? Yes. Side effects can occur with any medicine, even vaccines. In the end I simply think that vaccines do more good than harm. I could not live with myself if my child contracted a life-threatening disease because of my stance.
Please weigh in.
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