The internet can be a dangerous place, especially when discussing vaccinations. There’s so much misinformation, sometimes the myths overshadow the facts. We’re here to dispel the myths to keep your family healthy and safe.
At Hamptons Medical Associates in Boca Raton, Florida, we know the importance of vaccinations for both children and adults. To Steven Caridi, MD, family care means making sure everyone is up to date on their vaccinations. From the flu shot to chickenpox to travel vaccines, we’ll administer the vaccines you need to remain healthy.
Just turn on the news and you’ll see the dangers of people not vaccinating their children and then sending them off to school, putting everyone’s children at risk. The CDC recommends about 14 inoculations for children before the age of 6, each of them important for their wellbeing. Concerned about some of the myths you’ve heard about vaccinations? We’re here to help!
This is the one that gets all the attention and press and there’s no evidence to support the claim. The British surgeon who first said that the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine causes autism lost his medical license and has been completely discredited. We’d love to know what specifically causes autism, as it’s still unclear, but Dr. Caridi knows for sure that it’s not because of vaccinations.
Vaccinations are made up mostly of antigens. While it’s true they may contain small amounts of formaldehyde or thimerosal (which does contain mercury), these only preserve the vaccine. The levels of these ingredients in vaccinations are less than the amount we’re exposed to every day.
Perhaps not surprisingly, some adults even misunderstand the truth about their own vaccinations. Ask anyone who has had shingles if they’d like to go back in time and get the vaccination. This viral infection causes intense pain, rashes, and blisters. It’s recommended that anyone over 50 get the vaccine, especially because it’s estimated that 50% of adults over 80 will get shingles.
Vaccines do not infect you with the disease they’re trying to protect you from. The virus in the flu shot is dead, and though it’s alive in the nasal spray version (for those who hate shots), it cannot give you the flu.
If you pay attention to the news, you’ll know how dangerous this statement is. The measles virus was originally wiped out in the United States until a new breakout of this highly contagious infection happened. If you were not vaccinated and travel to a foreign country that still has measles, you can contract it and bring it back.
Of course, there are many more than 5 myths out there and we’ve heard them all. The fact remains that vaccinations are healthy for you, your family, and the community. It only takes one case to start a new epidemic.
In fact, vaccines can prevent many life-threatening illnesses. They can also boost your body’s own natural immunity to help you fight off bacteria and viruses. So, to deny their benefits has dangerous consequences, and The World Health Organization has vaccination denial in their top 10 threats to global health.
This is why Dr. Caridi proudly offers many different vaccinations. When you come into the office we’ll make sure you’re up to date with everything, including TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis), Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (Gardasil), Meningococcal, and Pneumococcal. We’ll also keep you on schedule for your annual and seasonal Influenza/H1N1.
Take care of yourself and your family and when you need a physical, a checkup, or your next vaccination, call us or use the handy “Request Appointment” button here.
