CSIRO blogger Ellen Singleton has posted a summary article comparing five widely held myths surrounding vaccination with evidence-based science in an effort to stimulate discussion and awareness.
Singleton deals first with the autism link myth, clarifying that studies involving almost 1.5 million children from all round the world have disproven any connection.
The concept that the flu vaccine gives the recipient the flu is "simply not true" - the vaccines do not have any live virus so it cannot cause an infection.
For those who draw on the herd immunity concept as a reason not to get the vaccine, Singleton is very clear - there are those in society who cannot have the vaccine, babies, pregnant women and people with immune deficiencies or recovering from cancer, who need everyone else in society to get vaccinated to help protect them.
Anyone who thinks vaccines weaken the immune system simply doesn't understand the immune system - in fact, Singleton clarifies that the very opposite is the case.
Lastly, the CSIRO writer points out that the flu vaccine has indeed been proven to protect against up to 60% of confirmed influenza infections and the protection rate can be even higher in children.
See more blogs at blog.csiro.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 08 Jun 18
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