Introduction One of the most enduring narratives about vaccine safety is the alleged link between childhood vaccination and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A study published in 2020 showed that more than one in four parents of children with ASD believed it was caused by vaccines[1]. This belief directly impacts public health, with data showing that … Continued
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder commonly manifesting in difficulties with social interaction and communication, among other symptoms. Epidemiological studies of hundreds of thousands of children have found no association between childhood vaccination and autism. Variants of the MTHFR gene are common and claims that MTHFR mutations lead to an inability to “detox” from vaccines are false. Reliable scientific evidence about glyphosate’s association with autism is currently lacking, although more research in this area is needed to better understand the potential impact of glyphosate exposure.
When COVID-19 vaccines were first tested, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had asked that manufacturers demonstrate first and foremost their vaccine’s ability to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19. The Pfizer-BioNTech 2020 clinical trial showed a 95% efficacy in reducing that risk. Furthermore, real-world analysis performed after the worldwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign showed that all-cause mortality was lower among vaccinated individuals.
Childhood vaccination helps to reduce the risk of potentially serious diseases, including measles and polio. Large-scale, reputable studies have not found a greater incidence of adverse health outcomes in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated children. Ingredients in childhood vaccines aren’t present in toxic amounts. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends on-time routine immunization of all children and adolescents according to the CDC’s Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.
All available evidence from clinical trials and safety monitoring indicates that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and not associated with a rise in medical conditions and mortality. COVID-19 vaccines are also safe and recommended for pregnant women, who are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and pregnancy complications associated with the disease. Furthermore, COVID-19 vaccines haven’t been shown to be toxic, making so-called “detoxes” unnecessary.
Several countries in Europe, America, and Asia are notifying cases of monkeypox cases in people with no recent travel history to regions where the disease is endemic, that is, limited regions in Central and West Africa where the virus circulates. While the spread of the monkeypox virus in non-endemic countries is unusual and concerning, the cases detected so far are unlikely to cause a pandemic like SARS-CoV-2 did. The main reasons are that the number of cases is low, the virus doesn’t spread very easily, and smallpox vaccines also protect against monkeypox infection.
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect individuals and communities from potentially harmful diseases. Overwhelming scientific evidence shows that vaccines and their ingredients are safe. On the whole, evidence indicates that the current U.S. population is healthier than previous generations, with a longer life expectancy and higher infant survival rate. This is due in part to the elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases and the complications associated with these diseases.
Autoimmune diseases are the result of a person’s immune system wrongly attacking the person’s own cells. Research has indicated genetics and environmental factors, such as certain viral infections like the flu, can make a person more likely to develop an autoimmune disease. Numerous studies examining a potential association between vaccination and autoimmune diseases didn’t find a higher incidence of autoimmune diseases in vaccinated people compared to unvaccinated people.
COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration demonstrated a high level of safety and efficacy in clinical trials. However, limited data is available regarding the safety and efficacy of these vaccines in pregnant women because they were excluded from initial clinical trials. Available evidence from animal studies and ongoing vaccine safety monitoring suggests that COVID-19 vaccines don’t pose any specific risk for pregnant women. In contrast, pregnant women have an increased risk of suffering complications from COVID-19, which may affect pregnancy outcomes.
Vaccines are considered one of the greatest medical achievements. They have eradicated smallpox and reduced global child mortality and long-lasting disabilities from vaccine-preventable diseases. Besides being effective in preventing the spread of contagious diseases, overwhelming evidence demonstrates that vaccines are also safe and do not increase the risk of developmental, neurological, or autoimmune conditions. Vaccines undergo extensive testing for safety and efficacy before license and are continuously monitored even after approval to identify any safety issue. Therefore, the proven benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks.
