Some questions about vaccination safety

Can improved hygiene replace vaccination effect on disease elimination?

In spite of the impact of safe water and improved hygiene in the reduction of the acquisition of infectious diseases, without vaccination several infections might return and spread even if the people are clean. High vaccination coverage in the kingdom of Bahrain helps in marked reduction and elimination of several diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria and tetanus.

Is there a need for vaccination for diseases that currently disappeared from kingdom of Bahrain?

As long as these infectious diseases circulating in other parts of the world, there is a risk that these infections could be imported and reestablished.

Are vaccines associated with dangerous side effects that might lead to death?

Vaccines are generally safe. Side effects of vaccines are frequently minor and self-limited. These include pain, redness at injection site and fever. Serious reactions are rare and once reported they are investigated and monitored. The benefits of vaccines are generally outweighing their risk. The decision for vaccination is considering the risk and benefit of vaccination versus the risk of disease targeted.

Are Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis containing vaccines causing Sudden Infant Death syndrome?

The causal link was not established between Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis containing vaccines and sudden infant death syndrome. This syndrome occurs typically at an age coincide with vaccine administration. Moreover, sudden infant death syndrome might happen even among unvaccinated infants. The diseases targeted by these vaccines might cause serious illness and death if the infant is not protected by vaccination.

Are Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccines causing autism?

The causal link was not established between MMR vaccine and autism. Autism is multifactorial disease that usually diagnosed at age coincide with the age of vaccination. The story began in 1998 after a publication that raised a concern about possible link between this vaccine and autism; however this publication was withdrawn later on from the journal due to discovery of serious inconsistency and faults. Then further investigation was done in the same topic and there was no identified evidence of a link between MMR vaccine and autism or autistic disorders. In addition if MMR vaccine was not taken it might cause serious infection with its complications. Also, evidence related to this topic has been evaluated by the independent Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) found no causal link between Autism and vaccination with MMR vaccine.

Are Multi dose vaccines containing thiomersal dangerous?

According to World Health Organization and Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), found that that data on the use of thimerosal as a preservative in the multi dose vaccine vials support its safety as preservative. Thimerosal is an organic, mercury-containing compound added to some vaccines as a preservative. In kingdom of Bahrain, generally the routinely used vaccines are single dose vaccines and not multi-dose vials with thimerosal preservative.

Is vaccination of the child with more than one vaccine at a time dangerous and overwhelming to the immune system?

There was no evidence that giving more than one vaccine at the same time is causing harmful effect to the child. Many infections can expose the child to a lot of antigens more than the vaccines as well as eating varieties of food. Giving more than one vaccine in a visit increases the chance of protection of the child earlier and reduces the number of visit to the health facility and reduces the related cost of the visit. In addition it reduces the number of injections to the child if combined vaccines are available for example hexavalent vaccine contains (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenza type B and Inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine).

Is getting immunity after infection better than getting it by vaccination?

Infection with certain microbes can give immunity; however severe complications can occur including encephalitis from measles, paralysis from poliomyelitis and death from tetanus. While the vaccine produce the immunity by stimulating the immune system to produce the antibodies against certain disease and reduce the risk caused by the disease itself.

Are pregnant women excluded from vaccination?

Many vaccines can be given to pregnant women based on their risk status and in general pregnant women should not receive LIVE vaccines including measles, mumps and rubella and other live vaccines. However, certain vaccines can be given or even recommended to pregnant women including Tetanus vaccine if she did not complete her primary series and booster doses of Tetanus vaccine to protect her child from neonatal tetanus and seasonal influenza vaccine to reduce influenza complication duringthe season.

Are Vaccines contraindicated to be given to people with mild sickness and on antibiotic?

Mild acute illness with or without fever is not a contraindication for vaccination. Also, if the patient is taking antibiotic treatment it is not a contraindication for vaccination.

For more information, please visit WHO website: https://www.who.int/

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