I'm Worried About My Baby's Shots – Are Vaccines Safe?
Yes! Today's vaccines work best and are the safest in history. Vaccines must pass many tests. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) tests new vaccines for up to 10 years before issuing the vaccine a license. All vaccines must be safe and proven to work well. Once the vaccine is being used, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitor it through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Researchers look for any problem with a vaccine, inspect the problem, and decide what to do. When VAERS found a problem in the past, changes included:
- using different labels or packaging,
- sending safety alerts,
- inspecting manufacturers' records,
- and taking away the vaccine's license.
For more information about VAERS, visit www.vaers.hhs.gov or call the toll-free VAERS information line at 1-800-822-7967.
Sometimes vaccines can cause reactions like fever or soreness where the shot was given. Very rarely, people have an allergic reaction. Vaccines save lives and protect against the spread of disease. If you decide not to immunize your child, you put your child and other children around him or her at risk. Your child could catch a disease that is dangerous or deadly. Getting vaccinated is much safer than getting the disease. For more information, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/vacsafe-parents.htm.
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Reprinted with the permission of the Department of Health and Human Services.
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