It’s one of the rituals of childhood—the first day of school, and all the preparation that goes with it, including the required vaccinations.Babies are given Hepatitis B at birth, even though it’s not a childhood disease. In fact, babies are now required in 47 states to have a series of three Hepatitis B shots before they can attend school.
You’ve probably heard the debate, and the comments from “anti-vaxxers” about how the vaccinations are harming children, while the CDC, the state health department, and your pediatrician insist that all these shots going into your child’s bloodstream are perfectly safe. In fact, the CDC publishes an entire schedule of vaccines for children and adults.So who’s right?
Why We Have Vaccinations
Public health protection is an important part of healthcare in the US. The use of vaccines has nearly eliminated a number of diseases in the US, including polio and diphtheria. Smallpox vaccination eventually eliminated the disease, so vaccines for it are no longer needed.However, people traveling to the US from other countries may unknowingly bring some of these diseases with them, so the risk is still there in the general population. The increasing number of potentially widespread diseases has brought with it an increase in the types of vaccines available that are ultimately given to children.Vaccinating children before they come into contact with a disease helps them to develop immunity to the disease from the vaccine. Their bodies have the ability to fight off a disease like diphtheria, pertussis, and chickenpox, instead of becoming seriously ill.Vaccinating people—especially children—is one of the most effective ways to prevent widespread diseases from infecting, sickening, and possibly killing a large number of people. Missouri has a complete schedule of immunization requirements for children attending school in the state.
So Why Do So Many People Resist Vaccinations For Their Children?
Despite the benefits to public health, many parents do not want their children vaccinated, especially with the Hepatitis B vaccine. The reasoning for giving children the three-step HB vaccine is to ensure that if they are at risk for it later, they have at least been given some protection.After a vaccination, most children may have short-term symptoms like:
- Pain and/or swelling at the injection site
- Chills
- Fever
- Joint/muscle aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
But like prescription drugs, vaccines are not without risk of harm. There is a range of symptoms indicating injury from a vaccine, usually developing within the first two to seven days:
- Anaphylaxis and other dangerous allergic reactions, such as breathing difficulty, hives, or swelling of the mouth
- Severe swelling and/or pain at the injection site (a young child that cries excessively is an indicator of severe symptoms)
- A high fever that lasts in excess of three days
- Seizures and/or convulsions
- Shock or collapse
- Rashes such as eczema that persist beyond three days
- Numbness in extremities
- Loss of vision and/or coordination
- Changes in behavior, such as aggression or attention problems
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting that lasts longer than three days
- Extreme fatigue and/or sleepiness
These serious symptoms are cause for immediate medical attention, especially in children.The CDC recognizes that some vaccines have a higher risk of adverse effects, especially:
- Flu shots (influenza)
- HPV (the human papillomavirus, responsible for cervical cancer)
- Hepatitis B
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
- DtaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis – children ages seven and younger)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis – booster for children age 11)
Healthcare providers are required to notify the CDC of any adverse events after the shots are administered. Vaccine manufacturers are required to report these events to the public as well.
If Your Child Has A Vaccine Injury
Of course, if your child exhibits any symptoms, you should discuss it with your doctor, especially with severe, long-lasting symptoms (getting urgent medical attention when needed.) Keep a record of both your child’s vaccine schedule and the symptoms they may have suffered as a result.The CDC and the US Food & Drug Administration created an online Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System for individuals to anonymously report a problem after a vaccine. VAERS is in addition to the reporting done by healthcare professionals.The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to 300aa-34) is a no-fault system that compensates victims and families injured by mandated vaccinations.But if your doctor continues to “explain away” your child’s symptoms, he or she may be trying to deflect responsibility since he or she administered the vaccine to your child. Your next step may to be to talk with an attorney who handles this kind of medical malpractice from vaccines.
Vaccine Injury? Call Popham
The Popham Law Firm is one of the few law firms in the Kansas City area whose attorneys have experience in vaccine law and vaccine injury cases. If you or a loved one sustained an injury after a vaccine, call The Popham Law Firm right away at (844) 243-2288 for a free consultation. Whether you win or lose the case (as long as the case was filed in good faith and with a reasonable basis), our fees are paid out of the same fund in which your compensations are paid. Call us today!
