Hands On Advocacy
HOA Vaccine Resources For Physicians
Are you a provider who finds the vaccine conversation difficult or stressful? Check out our video on the CASE method - an evidence-based method of how to talk to patients about vaccines. The CASE method can help generate a conversation that is compassionate, allows you to understand the patient's perspective, and allows you to share the science you have learned.
Key Facts About Vaccines
Check out the information below to learn more about vaccines.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines are composed of inactivated viruses or toxins that trigger your immune system to create long-lasting protection against an infection without actually causing disease. This fact sheet from the CDC gives some great explanations of how vaccines work: Vaccine Fact Sheet
How can you prepare for a vaccination?
Vaccines can be scary for parents and children. You can prepare yourself by seeking information about what vaccines are due at each visit. There are many ways to comfort a child during vaccinations: check out the CDC tips.
What are side effects of vaccines?
The most common side effects of vaccines are:
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Redness/swelling where the shot was given
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Fever
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Mild rash
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Rarely, an allergic reaction
These side effects are less serious than the potential consequences of a vaccine preventable disease.​
Who should not be vaccinated?
Most people greatly benefit from vaccines - they have minimal side effects and they protect us from serious diseases. However, there are some people who should not get vaccines. Check out this website to make learn what types of individuals should not be vaccinated.
What is contained in a vaccine?
The main ingredient of a vaccine is is antigens - these are the components of viruses and bacteria that the body's immune system recognizes and fights against. The other ingredients in vaccines include salt, sugar, gelatin, egg protein, formaldehyde, and neomycin. Only flu vaccines contain preservatives. This table from the CDC explains why these other ingredients are in vaccines.
What is herd immunity?
Herd immunity is when enough people in a community are vaccinated so that a disease outbreak is very unlikely. Many diseases in the United States are uncommon now because of herd immunity. Infants, pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and elderly individuals who may not be able to get vaccines are protected by herd immunity. Unfortunately our vaccination rates are dropping and we may soon see more disease outbreaks as herd immunity levels of vaccination are not reached.
Common Vaccine Myths
Here are a few top vaccine myths that we would like to debunk:
Myth: Giving my child multiple vaccines in one visit is harmful to his or her immune system.
Actually, multiple vaccines at once does not overload a child's immune system. In fact, children are exposed to many more antigens (the parts of a germ that the immune system fights) in a normal day than is contained in a vaccine. CHOP has good information about multiple vaccines and vaccine spacing. Check out this information sheet on combination vaccines to find out how your child can get the same protection with fewer shots: Combination Vaccines
Myth: Vaccines cause autism.
Yes, this is the big one that everyone talks about. And this is the one that has been disproved in countless studies in the past 20 years. This myth was started by a study published by Andrew Wakefield in 1993 in The Lancet. Only 12 people were in the study. In 2010, investigations into the study showed falsification of data and abuse of developmentally challenged children. The study was discredited and many more valid studies since have not shown a link between autism and vaccines. Learn more.
Myth: If my child has a fever he or she cannot get a vaccine.
Actually, children with fevers < 101F, a stuffy nose, an ear infection, or mild diarrhea can get vaccines. The vaccine will not make their mild illness worse, and the vaccine will still trigger an appropriate immune response. More information.
Myth: Vaccines contain thimerosal, which contains mercury, which causes autism.
Thimerosal contains ethylmercury. Methylmercury is another form of mercury that has been shown to be damaging to the central nervous system. There is no evidence that thimerosal in flu vaccines causes harm. However, most vaccine manufacturers have stopped using it just in case. Learn more.
Myth: Aluminum and formaldehyde in vaccines are harmful.
Aluminum is used in some vaccines to improve the body's response to the vaccine. Aluminum is a very common metal found in nature - infants get more aluminum in breast milk or formula than from vaccines. More information.
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Formaldehyde is used during the development of vaccines to detoxify or deactivate the active materials. The tiny amount left in the vaccine is not harmful. In fact, there is more formaldehyde in paper towels, mascara, carpeting, and human blood than in vaccines.
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Myth: Drug companies make big profits by pushing vaccines.
Vaccines are actually not high-profit products for drug companies. In 2003, drug companies recorded $2 billion in vaccines sales compared to $243 billion in prescription sales. Vaccine manufacturing is a public service offered by 5 drug companies. The Institute of Medicine studied the financial challenges of producing and providing vaccines in this report.
For those who prefer videos, this video by Healthcare Triage explains the link between vaccines and autism.
Interesting video by SciShow that discusses the cognitive biases that lead to anti-vaccine beliefs.
What Providers Need to Know About HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer, by the American Cancer Society
More Resources
All of the following websites were referenced for the creation of this page. If you are seeking additional information about vaccines we highly recommend that you check these out!
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Institute of Medicine: Thimerosal Safety Review
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Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Vaccine Education Center
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Institute of Medicine: MMR & Autism Safety Review
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Oxford Journals: Vaccines & Autism
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Institute of Medicine: Financing Vaccines in the 21st Century
