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Vaccine Adverse Events: Separating Myth from Reality

Vaccines have turned many childhood diseases into distant memories in industrialized countries. However, questions have been raised about the safety of some vaccines because of rare but serious adverse effects that have been attributed to them. Pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site are common local reactions to vaccines. Fever and irritability may occur after some immunizations. Currently, no substantial evidence links measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to autism, or hepatitis B vaccine to multiple sclerosis. Thimerosal is being eliminated from routine childhood vaccines because of concerns that multiple immunizations with vaccines containing this preservative could exceed recommended…

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Featured

 Opinion: Are vaccine risks worth the cost?

The question I’d like to have answered regarding the global vaccine rollout is, “How many vaccine deaths are considered acceptable?” Can someone in charge please give me a number? Scientifically speaking, how many heart attacks, miscarriages, blood clots or neurological side effects are considered to be an appropriate trade-off for the value of the vaccines?

 Side effects of childhood vaccines are extremely rare, new study finds

The study found evidence against suspected links between vaccines and several acute and chronic diseases. For instance, the researchers found high-quality evidence that several different vaccines are not linked to childhood leukemia and that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is not linked to autism. The DTaP vaccine is not linked to diabetes mellitus, and the Hepatitis B vaccine is not connected to multiple sclerosis, according to moderate-quality evidence.

 Understanding Adverse Events and Side Effects

Any health problem that happens after vaccination is considered an adverse event following immunization. An adverse event can be a true adverse reaction, also known as a side effect, that is related to the vaccine, or a coincidental event that happened following vaccination.

Articles of Interest

Do vaccines cause autism and other health problems?

The scientific evidence is very clear: There’s no link between vaccines and autism, and vaccines are generally safe, although they can cause some rare, typically minor side effects.

Vaccine Side Effects and Adverse Events

The CDC and FDA established The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System in 1990. According to the CDC, VAERS is used “to detect possible signals of adverse events associated with vaccines.

Vaccine side effects are actually a good thing

Every vaccine comes with the chance of side effects. But with these new Covid-19 vaccines, the chances are much higher. Most people will feel pain at the injection site or fatigued. The vaccines come with more side effects than we’re used to, which can be scary. But scientists argue this is actually a good thing.

Resources

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System

VAERS is a post-marketing safety surveillance program, collecting information about adverse events (possible side effects) that occur after the administration of US licensed vaccines.

National Vaccine Information Center

The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) is dedicated to the prevention of vaccine injuries and deaths through public education and to defending the informed consent ethic in medicine. As an independent clearinghouse for information on diseases and vaccines, NVIC does not advocate for or against the use of vaccines. We support the availability of all preventive health care options, including vaccines, and the right of consumers to make educated, voluntary health care choices.

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

Any individual, of any age, who received a covered vaccine and believes he or she was injured as a result, can file a petition. Parents, legal guardians and legal representatives can file on behalf of children, disabled adults, and individuals who are deceased.

Global Vaccine Data Network

Collaborating on vaccine safety and effectiveness studies using health data from around the world.

Canada.ca

Like any medication, vaccines can cause side effects and reactions. After being vaccinated, it's common to have temporary side effects. These usually last from a few hours to a few days after vaccination.

CDC

VAERS accepts and analyzes reports of possible health problems—also called “adverse events”—after vaccination. As an early warning system, VAERS cannot prove that a vaccine caused a problem. Specifically, a report to VAERS does not mean that a vaccine caused an adverse event. But VAERS can give CDC and FDA important information.