Eight reasons why we are most afraid of vaccines

It is widely known that vaccinations saved many lives. Despite this knowledge, interest in vaccinations continues to decline. Many of us, adult Poles, do not know about the existence of a dedicated vaccination calendar. There are at least several reasons for this.

In the history of the development of medicine, immunization is one of the greatest achievements that has saved the lives of millions of people. Years of scientists’ work have allowed us to successfully fight diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough and many others. Thanks to the worldwide vaccination of the human population on an unprecedented scale, we have defeated the pox virus that truly causes the disease much more deadly than COVID-19.

Experts agree that public health, understood as a holistic approach to medicine and healthcare in the fight against infectious diseases, has never had a more effective weapon. Unfortunately, despite the undeniable benefits of vaccination, many Poles are skeptical about them. Many fears are related to the fear of pricks or needles, side effects, and a lack of awareness and knowledge. Are the fears of vaccinations justified?

Possible side effects

As with other medicines, some people may experience adverse reactions (known as vaccine adverse reactions – NOP) after being vaccinated. Most of them are mild, do not require medical attention, and resolve within a few days. The most common NOPs reported are: fever and injection site reaction (swelling, redness, transient pain).

Serious events after vaccination are extremely rare – for example, in 2018, among 3809 reported NOPs, there were 10 severe NOPs, which was only 0,3%. all reported. Moreover, in the case of currently used vaccines, the risk of serious NOP is many times lower than the risk and consequences of contracting the infectious disease against which vaccination protects. Detailed information on the incidence of NOP for a given vaccine can be found in the package leaflet or in the Summary of Product Characteristics.

Vaccination price

Apart from compulsory vaccinations, which are reimbursed by the National Health Fund, there are recommended vaccinations for which we have to pay out of our own pocket. Their list, especially in the case of the youngest children, is very long (vaccination against influenza, meningococcus, HPV, chickenpox, hepatitis A, tick-borne encephalitis).

The available statistics show that Polish parents in 95 percent. vaccinate their children with compulsory vaccinations, while less than half of parents decide on recommended vaccinations. Very often, one of the reasons is the cost of vaccination, which is a burden on the home budget. Remember, however, that recommended vaccinations are an “investment in health”, allowing us to reduce the risk of an infectious disease and its severe course, requiring hospitalization.

Pain when inserting the needle

Let’s face it, the pain, discomfort, and stress of having the injection are one of the reasons why children and adults alike avoid vaccinations. It is estimated that up to 93 percent. young children show signs of severe vaccination stress. Fortunately, based on the available evidence, various treatments have been developed to relieve pain during vaccination. The current guidelines for all age groups have been developed by the HELPinKids & Adults team (Help Eliminate Pain in Kids and Adults).

According to recommendations, pain associated with vaccination can be reduced by using physical, psychological and pharmacological methods. The first is breastfeeding a child up to the age of two during the vaccination. This can relieve your baby’s stress and discomfort, and is also a good way to distract your little one. You can also give your baby a pacifier or a sweet-tasting solution (sucrose or glucose solution).

It is also recommended that you hold your baby in your arms before, during and after vaccination. Older children (over three years of age) should receive the vaccine in an upright sitting position to give them a feeling of control. The psychological method recommended for reducing the sensation of pain is to distract them. Younger children can be interested in a favorite toy or read a book to them, while older children can talk or listen to music.

Pharmacological methods are an important and convenient method of pain relief during vaccination. These include the use of local anesthetics in the form of patches and creams. A good example is the over-the-counter Emla medicated patches, which contain lidocaine and prilocaine. Their action is based on a short-term loss of sensation in the superficial layers of the skin, which reduces the perception of pain associated with the puncture. Emla Plaster can be used in children, adolescents and adults.

Fear of vaccination

Prevention of infectious diseases and related vaccinations apply not only to children, but also to adults. Fear of the needle can turn into a phobia and lead to avoiding the necessary medical examinations or other medical procedures, including vaccinations. The phobia associated with inserting a needle affects up to 25 percent. in the prime of life and is associated with childhood trauma. In dealing with the fear of the needle, the support of relatives or experienced medical staff can help. As with children and adolescents, local anesthetic creams or Emla patches may be useful.

The belief that vaccines are unnecessary

Many people assume that vaccine-preventable diseases no longer occur, so it is not worth getting vaccinated. In fact, the opposite is true: as awareness of the risk of infections decreases, fewer and fewer people get vaccinated and serious infections return. An example is measles. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), due to the decline in vaccination against this extremely contagious disease, there has been an increase in measles cases in Europe. This is the case in Great Britain, Italy and France, and more recently also in Turkey, Ukraine and Romania. To sum up: immunization is necessary for two reasons: to protect ourselves and everyone around us.

Not being aware of the need to get vaccinated

Although all of Poland lives with vaccinations against COVID-19, little is known about the prevention of other serious respiratory infections. According to the Kantar opinion poll, only every fourth Pole has heard about the existence of a vaccination schedule for adults, and 39 percent. did not have any vaccinations in their adult life! And yet vaccinating adults is just as important as vaccinating children, the more so as our immune system weakens with age, and the risk of a severe course of the disease and complications is much greater.

Also, let’s not forget that vaccine immunity lasts for a different length of time. For some diseases, it is enough to get vaccinated only once (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox), for others, immunity may not last for life, hence recommendations to vaccinate against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis repeat every 5-10 years, and flu vaccinations every year.

The belief that vaccines put a strain on the body’s immune system

Some parents are concerned that giving their child several vaccines at the same time weakens the immune system. However, the scientific evidence contradicts this – every day children come into contact with several hundred foreign substances that trigger a response from the immune system. Children with a cold or sore throat are exposed to many more antigens than if the vaccine was given.

Moreover, the number of antigens available in the vaccines used today is much smaller than in the vaccines used in the past. The advantage of having several vaccines at once is that fewer medical visits are required, which means fewer injections and saves time and money. In addition, it has been shown that the immune response of a child to combination (multi-component) vaccines is the same as to single vaccines.

Belief that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causes autism

This is another myth that is the aftermath of one of the most famous scientific falsifications of the 1998th century. In 12, British physician Andrew Wakefield, together with XNUMX other scientists, published an article in the scientific journal The Lancet, in which he published the results of research showing a link between the use of MMR (three-component vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella) in children and the occurrence of they have autism and enteritis.

Soon, as a result of a journalistic investigation, it turned out that the results of the study were falsified, the publication was withdrawn, and Wakefield himself was banned from practicing as a doctor in the UK for his unethical actions. Unfortunately, the publication triggered a panic that led to a drop in vaccination rates and, consequently, outbreaks of infectious diseases. Dozens of independent scientific studies, published in reputable journals, confirm that vaccines do not cause autism.

Fear of vaccinations is not only the domain of children. It also accompanies adults, and is often caused by a lack of awareness and the spread of false myths that mislead many people. Another common problem is fear of pain or the needle. This uncomplicated medical procedure raises a lot of emotions.

Prevention of the anxiety associated with vaccination is now possible in children, adolescents and in prime of life, thanks to physical methods such as using a pacifier in children or pharmacological methods such as the use of Emla patches. Let us not be afraid of vaccinations, because they have already saved millions of lives, they are a huge civilization achievement, bringing profit not only to us, but also to our relatives and the whole society.