Pic Source: news.nationalpost.com
Vaccination has always been a road filled with contention. Supporters and those against it alike can debate the topic till the cows come home, cows WITH cowpox and mad cow disease included. With the barrage of information on the web, it’s no wonder that parents face this conundrum and it’s something they encounter very early in their child’s life as immunisations starts in utero and in fact, even way before conception. So on which stand should one take?
What is the issue here?
For most parents, the problem with vaccinations revolve around the following issues:
Source: biovaccinesnig.com
Is vaccination effective?
Overwhelming number of data across the globe has shown that the incidence of a particular disease dropped after the vaccine was introduced to the population. A very good example of a successful vaccination program is the global eradication of smallpox with the last known case reported in Somalia during the 1970s. In Malaysia, due to good uptake of the Polio vaccine in our community (95%), there have been no reported cases since October 2000. Both small pox and Polio are diseases that can cause death and permanent disability respectively with no known cure.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines unlike drugs, go through a more rigorous process of evaluation compared to other medications as vaccines are given to healthy individuals. Vaccines are also constantly being evaluated and monitored for adverse side effects. However ,similar to any medications, vaccines can cause adverse side effects but fortunately, serious complications are very rare. The usual problems seen (if at all) are local soreness and swelling or fever which are all easily treated and transient. Case in point, the risk to get a severe allergic reaction from the Mumps/Measles/Rubella (MMR) vaccine is 1 : 1 million children vaccinated. Although acquiring immunity ‘naturally’ via a ‘wild’ measles infection would confer a more lasting protection, the risk heavily outweighs its benefit. The probability to get encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissues) is 1 : 1000 from a natural infection.
Parents also raise safety concerns about additives found in some vaccine preparation. As mentioned, certain additives can be in the form of compounds like thiomersal which is a mercury-containing compound. Several studies have shown no evidence that thiomersal contained in vaccines can cause autism, autistic spectrum disorders or other neurodevelopmental problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also concluded that there is no evidence that thiomersal in vaccines can cause toxicity.
One controversial issue worth mentioning here is the publication of a study done in 1998, in a well known medical journal called the Lancet. The person responsible was a former UK surgeon and medical researcher named Andrew Wakefield who claimed that there was a link between Autism and MMR vaccination. His claims have since been discredited and the study retracted. However, to be fair to Dr. Wakefield, it is important to note that he did not call for the abandoning of the vaccines altogether but to administer the MMR vaccines separately.
If it is effective then why are people who are vaccinated still getting infected ?
Every individual’ s immune system is unique and reacts differently to a vaccine. Therefore it is is possible for a child who is vaccinated to still acquire the infection he was vaccinated for. However, the effectiveness of most vaccines is generally very good. For example, the efficacy of the MMR is around 97- 99% and that for Varicella (chicken pox) is about 85 – 90 %.
Source: www.thedoctorschannel.com
Are vaccines made from halal products and is it permissible for Muslims to use them?
There is no denying that some vaccines are manufactured from sources which are in principal non Halal ie porcine sources, aborted fetal cells. However the ‘religiously impure’ substance mentioned undergoes various stages of purification.. They are then processed into completely different substance so that the source which was initially impure is no longer present in any significant amount. Furthermore, in the absence of an alternative, it is permissible for Muslims to use these vaccines as vaccination can help prevent many debilitating diseases. This thought is echoed by the various fatwa from notable Muslim clerics from around the world who have decreed that the use of vaccines are permissible based on the general principle that “the lesser of two evils may be done to ward off the greater” (Al-Ashbah Wa An-Naza’ir by As-Suyuti). Quoting the late Mufti of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baz: “There is nothing wrong with giving medicine to ward off a feared disease, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘Whoever eats seven dates of Medina in the morning will not be harmed by witchcraft or poison‘” (Al-Bukhari).
Should I get my child vaccinated ?
Like any ‘man-made’ inventions, there is no ‘perfect vaccine’ yet available. The perfect vaccine in my humble opinion would be made from plants (no ethical issues), administered in the form of a cooling cream or tasty treat (no pain to the child), free from any side effects and is 100% effective and suitable for all. Until that day comes when ‘perfect vaccines’ are available to our children, I believe we must do what we can to protect our future generation.
Prevention is definitely better than any cure. Good hygiene, healthy diet and exercise are all undeniably important preventive measures. But the fact remains that it is not breast milk or enough sunshine alone that will keep childhood infections incidence at bay.
The decision to vaccinate at the end lies solely on the parents. It is indeed a great responsibility as the decision does not only affect your child but also others in your community. Diseases which were once eradicated can return to haunt as it only takes one child to be infected for it to be back in the fold of society. The current ease of travelling makes the spread of infections easier and puts our children in a vulnerable position. Hence parents should discuss with their health care practitioner if they have any doubts or questions regarding vaccination so that they can make informed decisions for their children.
Dr. Alya Hamzah is a paediatric medical officer currently working in Sabah and preparing for her final postgraduate exams in paediatrics. She believes that the journey to good health is one to be travelled together by both doctors and patients. Find out more about her in The Team page.
[This article belongs to The Malaysian Medical Gazette. Any republication (online or offline) without written permission from The Malaysian Medical Gazette is prohibited.]
References :
- www.cdc.gov.
- www.polioeradication.org.
- www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2011
- www.onislam.net/english/ask -the-scholar/fiqh
- http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiomersal – controversy
- www.e-fatwa.gov.my/fatwa