The Pros And Cons Of Vaccines

Vaccines contain harmful ingredients. Some physicians believe thimerosal, an organic mercury compound found in trace amounts in one flu vaccine for children and other vaccines for adults, is linked to autism. Aluminum is used in some vaccines and excess aluminum in human bodies can cause neurological harm. Formaldehyde, also found in some vaccines, is a carcinogen, and, according to VaxTruth.org, exposure can cause side effects such as cardiac impairment, central nervous system depression, "changes in higher cognitive functions," coma, convulsions, and death. Glutaraldehyde, a compound used to disinfect medical and dental equipment, is used in some DTaP vaccinations and exposure can cause asthma and other respiratory issues.

Another concern with vaccines is the addition of a form of mercury called thimerosal. “Thimerosal is best known as a preservative used in some vaccines to keep them from becoming contaminated”

This herd immunity creates a barrier of immunized citizens around those citizens who cannot get vaccinations themselves due to medical conditions. This barrier creates an invisible layer of protection that does not allow communicable disease to spread beyond that wall (Community immunity, 2013; Zipprich et al., 2015). Parents have to be educated so they know their choices in regards to vaccinations not only affect their immediate family, but also the community as a whole. Another reason for parental education is so they have a good knowledge base of the composition that make up vaccinations. One item that should be strenuously educated is the U.S. government and CDC are not hiding anything from the citizens and the ingredients included in these vaccinations are easily obtained (Atkinson, Hamborsky, Stanton, & Wolfe, 2012; Ingredients of vaccines, 2011). In addition, when it comes to some of the more questionable ingredients that may cause concern, such as formaldehyde and mercury, they are not as lethal as believed. The type of mercury found in vaccinations differs from naturally forming mercury in that the body metabolizes it more readily and it has less chance of critical buildup. Also, the amount of mercury in vaccinations is more than a child ingests if breastfed only (Vaccines and thimerosal, 2014). With this, there has not been found any correlation between mercury ingestion and the onset of autism (Willingham, 2014). While formaldehyde is a dangerous chemical in large doses, it is also natural forming and inclusive in the environment and in human bodies. Formaldehyde is also quickly broken down in the human system and passes by exhaling carbon dioxide or urine. In small doses, such as what is in vaccinations, the body breaks this chemical down readily within hours, even in small children and infants (Public health statement,

In recent years, the number of parents who are refusing vaccinations on their children has increased. Because of this, once extinct diseases are now making a comeback (Marquez and White, 2013). Newer vaccines have tested to be effective in the 90-100 percentile range in preventing these once lethal diseases (Marquez and White, 2013). Some of the known and documented reactions to vaccinations can include redness and swelling near the injection site, headaches, vomiting, and in very rare cases encephalitis (Marquez and White, 2013). In the past, the main concern over vaccines was that mercury was included in the dosage (Marquez and White, 2013). In recent years, this part of the vaccine has been removed due to health concerns. Long term research has proved that there are no long lasting adverse effects of receiving vaccinations as a child (Marquez and White,

Another claim anti-vaxxers make is that vaccines contain mercury which is toxic to humans (Ross, np). Thimerosal, which was in multi-dose vaccines to prevent bacteria growth, did in fact contain traces of mercury (Ross, np) (CDC, np). However, there are two types of mercury: methylmercury and ethylmercury (CDC, np). Methylmercury, which is found in some kinds of fish, is toxic to humans in high doses, while ethylmercury is cleaned out of the body rapidly and is less likely to cause any harm, especially at low doses (CDC, np). Thimerosal contained a very low dose of ethylmercury, and studies showed it would not be toxic to humans, aside from some minor side effects such as redness or swelling after injection (CDC, np). Even so, the FDA decided to remove thimerosal from vaccines back in 2001 (Ross, np).

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (2013) states that vaccines contain a set of ingredients that serve as a vaccination opponents’ main reason against vaccination. However, experts say these ingredients (indicated below) are found in too low amounts to be considered serious (NCIRS, 2013). Adjuvants are used to enhance the immune response to a vaccine. They include aluminium salts which some claim is toxic. However, experts state that there is far less aluminium in the vaccine than there is in common diets and medications (NCIRS, 2013). Moreover, preservatives are used to prevent the fungal and/or bacterial contamination of vaccines. These preservatives include Thiomersal, derived from toxic metal Mercury though found in too small a trace to cause any harm, and Phenoxyethanol, an aromatic ether which resulted in one rare case of eczema (NCIRS, 2014). Lastly, some trace components in vaccines may cause allergies in some people, although this is rare. Vaccines may contain cell cultures, egg proteins, yeast, certain antibiotics and inactivating agents. People with severe allergic reaction to any antibiotic must be assessed by an immunisation provider before being vaccinated. People allergic to egg or yeast can safely take the vaccine, even if they are anaphylactic, as the traces are minute

Most of the controversy surrounding the issue of vaccination is about the safety of the ingredients that makeup the vaccines. The safety and effectiveness of vaccines and other drugs are tested extensively by scientists and healthcare professionals. According to CDC, when a vaccine is in the process of development, the manufacturer runs

Individuals that feel that vaccinating their children is unnecessary hold some very strong arguments. One controversial topic is that vaccines can cause serious and sometimes fatal side effects. All vaccinations carry a risk for serious allergic reactions according to the CDC. The rotavirus vaccination can cause extreme bowel blockage that can require hospitalization in babies. The CDC has also stated that pneumonia can be caused by the chickenpox vaccine. According to the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), vaccines may be linked to learning disabilities, asthma, autism, diabetes, chronic inflammation, and other disabilities. Another disputable topic is that vaccines contain harmful ingredients. Thimerosal, an organic mercury compound found in trace amounts in one flu

Scientists have found that vaccines containing traces of mercury have been linked to the development of. Formaldehyde, a carcinogen, can be found in flu shots, and can lead to cardiac impairment, depression and death. Vaccines can contain an antibacterial that can cause shock, kidney damage, cardiac and kidney failure, and even death (ProCon 2). Are you really comfortable increasing the chances of your child being ailed with any of these afflictions?

The reality is that adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely rare. The most common side effect of vaccines, anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction), occurs in one per several hundred thousand to one per million vaccinations (Dohenny). The fear that vaccines cause serious health problems in otherwise healthy children is a holdover from Wakefield’s false reporting and other conspiracy theorist groups. In recent years, the dangers of the mercury-containing organic compound Thimerosal have been called into question. It has been used as a preservative in many vaccines, but the Food and Drug Administration says that Thimerosal is harmless in the small doses used. Regardless of the lack of evidence showing its harmfulness, almost all vaccines are now Thimerosal

In their informational article “Thimerosal in Vaccines”, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) analyzes

Vaccines are made from harmful chemicals such as aluminum, formaldehyde, and several other dangerous chemicals. Scientist say these chemicals are fine if they are used in small amounts. These same scientists do not know how much is too much because several hundred kids and adults get sick from

Are the ingredients in vaccines safe for your child? Shane Ellison states that they are not, saying “Formaldehyde is just one of the many chemicals found in vaccines. And according to the FDA ‘excessive exposure to formaldehyde may cause cancer,’” [22]. Other ingredients in vaccines that tend to put people off are [15] mercury, an element that is poisonous to the nervous system and can be toxic at levels above 0.32 microgram a day for newborn babies, and aluminum which in excess can cause neurological harm. Some vaccines also contain chicken egg protein which, for children who are allergic to egg can be potentially harmful. Such chemicals can be cause for concern for parents but are not as dangerous as they first appear.

A major component that is oresumed to be toxic to humans and should be avoided is Thimerosal. Thimerosal is 50% mercury, therefore is thought to be harmful. However, according to the CDC, the MMR, chickenpox, polio and the majority of other vaccines have never contained Thimerosal. Next, there are two types of mercury: methylmercury and ethylmercury. Methylmercury is the type of mercury that is found in fish and is toxic to humans at high concentrations. On the other hand, ethylmercury, found in Thimerosal, is much less harmful to humans and it is cleared from the human body much quicker than methylmercury. Therefore, it is much less harmful to humans than the mercury ingested daily from fish. Still, many would argue that mercury is no the only “toxic” ingredient in vaccines, and there are ingredients such as Vero (monkey liver cells) in them. Yet, using the tissue in a vaccine is not very different from eating meat, therefore there is no reason to be offended by it. Next, the cells are only used as they are thought to be necessary for vaccines and scientists are persistently researching for alternatives for. Additionally, the tissue is not harming humans in any manner, as it is not toxic. It’s only purpose is to build immunity against the disease. Overall, the “toxic” ingredients in vaccines are not toxic and are only used in the best interest of

Opponent believe that many of the ingredients of vaccines are harmful to the human can cause harm to the recipient. However, the ingredients in the vaccines are safe to put in the human body. In some vaccine production, “certain antibiotics may be used to help prevent bacterial contamination during manufacturing” and “antibiotics most likely to cause severe allergic reactions are not used in vaccine production” (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Therefore, the antibiotics that can cause severe allergic reactions are not present in the vaccines. Furthermore, formaldehyde is present in vaccines and has “a long history of safe use in the manufacture of certain viral and bacterial vaccines” (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). According to the FDA, “formaldehyde is produced naturally in the human body as a part of normal functions of the body to produce energy and build the basic materials needed for important life processes”. Excessive exposure of formaldehyde may cause cancer, however; “there is no evidence linking cancer to infrequent exposure to tiny amounts of formaldehyde via injection as occurs with vaccines” (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). With its safe history and natural production in our body, formaldehyde in vaccines can be proven to be safe to be used. The ingredients of vaccines have bene proven to be safe and thus vaccines are safe as