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• October 15, 2020
• E-newsletter
• Carl Calamanan
• 0 Comments

 

VaccinationÌý has long been recognized as a proven preventive measure in the control and at best in the eradication of life -threatening infections . One perfect example is smallpox .

Immunization coverage rates forÌý vaccinesÌý against preventable diseases such asÌý diphtheria, polio, pertussis, Hib, rotavirus , tetanus , pneumococcalÌý and measles have plateaued and has never reached theÌý 95%Ìý target since its introduction in theÌý 1980`s in national immunization programsÌý , giving rise to outbreaks in certain regionsÌý globally. (1)

In the Philippines, coverage rates have sufferedÌý drastically in the last couple of years due to fears of vaccine safety, vaccineÌý misinformation and disinformation which has impacted on our public health programs.

The pandemic hasÌý further driven downÌý these rates at alarming levels leaving our children and the vulnerable susceptible to diseaseÌý and requiring targeted strategies.

It is in this direction that we urge our fellow pediatriciansÌý toÌý once again encourage their patients to have their catchup immunizationÌý and support the Department of Health`s Campaign against Measles and Polio .

 

Your TopÌý 3Ìý Safety Issues Answered

QUESTION 1 : Do vaccines undergo extensive investigation ?

Yes. The wholeÌý scientific process from development to manufacture and licensureÌý isÌý lengthy,Ìý thorough , respects ethical considerations and is alwaysÌý under the administration of regulatory authorities such as the FDA

QUESTION 2 : What is the purpose of clinical trials?

Clinical Trials involve human volunteers andÌý are conducted in 4 phases to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness. (2)

4 Phases

Phase 1Ìý : Test ofÌý safety,Ìý efficacy, occurrence of serious side effects, size of dose related to side effects

Phase 2 : Test of most common short term side effects, response of immune system of volunteers to the vaccine

Phase 3Ìý : Test betweenÌýÌý people who get the vaccineÌý as opposed to thoseÌý who do not ,and howÌý they compare , vaccine safety , effectiveness ,Ìý and the more common side effects.

Phase 4: Involves continuous monitoring of safety and effectiveness after licensure for public use

QUESTION 3 : What are the possible harmful side effects of vaccines and can they cause illness and even death ?

ÌýÁªVaccines are actually very safe, despite implications to the contrary in many anti-vaccine publications. Most vaccine adverse events are minor and temporary, such as a sore arm or mild fever. These can often be controlled by taking paracetamol after vaccination. More serious adverse events occur rarely (on the order of one per thousands to one per millions of doses), and some are so rare that risk cannot be accurately assessed. As for vaccines causing death, again so few deaths can plausibly be attributed to vaccines that it is hard to assess the risk statistically.Â’(3)

References:

1.WUENIC-Immunization Coverage- are we losing ground . 2020

2.

3.https://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/initiative/detection/immunization_misconceptions

 

This has been prepared by the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Committee on Immunization.