Questions and Answers about Vaccinations
Protecting your child against certain childhood diseases is important and vaccinations are strongly recommended by the medical community.

• Are vaccines safe?
• What are the side effects from vaccines?
• What is the new vaccine against meningococcal disease?
• Does the DTaP vaccine cause SIDS?
• Can vaccinations cause autism or multiple sclerosis?

Are vaccines safe?

Yes, vaccines are very safe. They are all thoroughly tested and approved by the by the FDA. The Center for Disease Control monitors all side effects to ensure vaccines continue to be safely given to children. Millions of children are protected from life-threatening disease through vaccines. The important to remember is that getting the diseases is much more dangerous than getting the vaccine.
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What are the side effects from vaccines?

Some children may experience a fever or sore arm for a day or two after a shot. Serious illness from vaccines is very rare and any report of an event is investigated. If you are concerned about a symptom your child is having after an immunization, contact your child’s pediatrician.
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What is the new vaccine against meningococcal disease?

Meningococal disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria. It is an infection of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The FDA has recently approved a new vaccine to protect against meningococcal disease. The vaccine is recommended for children at their preadolescent visit (11-12 years of age), teens entering high school, and college freshmen living in dormatories
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Does the DTaP vaccine cause SIDS?

No, studies have shown there is no relation between the DTaP vaccine and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Most experts, including the SIDS Alliance, agree that vaccinations do not cause SIDS.
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Can vaccinations cause autism or multiple sclerosis?

No, scientific studies have shown no relationship between vaccinations and autism or multiple sclerosis. Numerous studies have been conducted over the years – all have consistently failed to show a relationship between MMR vaccine and autism. In 2004, a report by the Institute of medicine Immunizations Safety Review committee again concluded that there is no association between autism and the MMR vaccine.
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