Recommended Approaches

Understanding the Steps Towards Determining the Effectiveness of Vaccines

There is an overall purpose towards the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. In addition, they are not solely given to those who are ill, it is given to millions of healthy and able-bodied individuals across the nation. However, as a result of various controversies and newly reported cases, people should question the validity and safety of the vaccination their body is consuming.

Vaccines are tested over the course of several years which includes:

-Testing and evaluation of the vaccine occurs over the course of several years before it is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended for use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

-Continuously monitoring the safety of each vaccine after it has been recommended for infants, children, and adults.

PLEASE NOTE: Before can ever be recommended, several tests must be conducted within the lab. Any data gathered from these vaccine tests will determine whether or not the FDA will approve.

Tests include essential questions such as:

  • Is the vaccine safe?
  • What dose (amount) works best?
  • How does the immune system react to it?

Recommended Approaches Towards Determining Vaccination for Your Child

Consider Medical History:

  • If you or a blood-related family member has an impaired immune system.
  • If the patient has already contracted the disease.
  • If the patient has encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or degenerative brain disorder.
  • If the patient is allergic to an ingredient in the vaccine.

Consider your Region:

The required vaccines can vary from state to state. As a result, you should consider what part of the country you are located in. For example, if you choose to have a minimum about of vaccines, you should move to a region where the requirements are fairly low.

In addition, a family can choose to be exempted from a vaccine for reasons such as:

  • Medical
  • Religious
  • Philosophical
State Vaccination Exemptions: Medical, Religious, and Philosophical
United States

 

Understand the Ingredients:

As of 2001, the entire childhood vaccine line was cleared of thimerosal. Thimerosal is a well-known mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades. Although it has been permanently removed, it is still very much active in the Flu shot. As a result of the millions of flu shots given each year, it has become necessary to incorporate thimerosal into the vaccine. Parents should understand that while their child’s vaccines no longer contain mercury, the Flu shot does still contain it for preservation purposes.

Furthermore, below are the following additives that are used mostly to preserve the vaccine itself according to Dr. Ari Brown of Baylor College of Medicine. 

  • Preservatives: Prevent vaccine contamination with germs (bacteria, fungus). Example: 2-phenoxyethanol, phenol, (thimerosal, prior to 2001).
  • Adjuvants: Improve potency/immune response. Example: aluminum salts.
  • Additives: Prevent vaccine deterioration and sticking to the side of the vial. Examples: gelatin, albumin, sucrose, lactose, MSG, glycine.
  • Residuals: Remains of vaccine production process. Examples: formaldehyde, antibiotics (neomycin), egg protein, yeast protein.