VACCINES PROTECT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
COVID-19 and the vaccines developed to combat it did more to erode trust in old, well-established, standard vaccines than any event or occurrence in medical history. The derision was directed overtly at the vaccines, but it was the scientists, pharmaceutical companies, and public health officials in whom the public lost faith. It has made vaccine skeptics and deniers appear in droves, but before COVID there was a din that was largely caused by the alleged connection between vaccines and autism. No one wants to subject their child to becoming autistic so vaccine denial and skepticism have become far too common place.
Cochrane, the global, independent, network of medical researchers and research verifiers has studied Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) and Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines in patients up to age 15 years. What Cochrane, in association with the CDC, found were the following reassuring results:
Children and Adolescents up to age 15 years:
After 2 doses of Measles vaccine, patients were 95% less likely to get Measles
After 2 doses of Mumps vaccine, patients were 95% less likely to get Mumps
After 2 doses of Rubella vaccine, patients were 95% less likely to get Rubella
After 2 doses of Varicella vaccine, patients were 95% less likely to get Chicken Pox
These figures clearly display the efficacy of these vaccines. “The only short-term adverse effects associated with vaccination were increased risk of rash, and an increased risk of seizure in the first week after MMR vaccination……but no evidence of an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and inflammatory bowel disease [was seen].”
The CDC says “when parents are hesitant to vaccinate a child, the doctor should listen….seek to understand their concerns…..Evidence and data from Cochrane can help inform such discussions.”
Dr.G’s Opinion: These vaccines work. They are safe. They have endured the test of time with their only fault being waning immunity and the need for booster vaccinations. Waning immunity is only discovered after years of use and the sudden re-emergence of the disease. But re-vaccination renews immunity. Hopefully, these statistics are influential to those skeptical parents so vaccine acceptance will return to levels seen prior to COVID-19.
Reference: Cayley WE, Vaccines for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella in Children and Adolescents. Am Fam Phys 2025 July;112(1):24.
