For ages, it has been proven that vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventing infectious diseases from spreading in the population of human beings.

Dr Hon Sai Kit, Paediatrician in Pantai Hospital Ampang provided us with much needed insights on the most budding questions on parents’ mind.

1. What is vaccine & what does vaccine contain?

Vaccine is a formulation that contains antigen component from either part or whole bacteria or virus.

It is used to stimulate our body’s immune system to produce antibodies and protect us against specific diseases.

Vaccine contains active antigen, preservative, stabilizer, and adjuvant to maintain good quality and safety of the vaccine in order to deliver it to humans more efficiently.

Preservative – Prevents contamination of other organisms in the vaccine.

Stabiliser – Maintains temperature, reduce adherence of vaccine component to the vial.

Adjuvant – Enhances vaccine response in our body.

 

2. Are some vaccines made using fetal cells?

Yes.

Fetal cells are used to grow some viruses (chickenpox, hepatitis A, shingles) during vaccine manufacturing.

Scientists choose to use fetal cells because viruses require cells to grow.

Human cells are better than animal cells at supporting the growth of human viruses.

 

3. Why is formaldehyde in vaccine?

Formaldehyde is a by-product of vaccine products.

It is used initially during the manufacture of some vaccines to inactivate viruses or bacterial toxins.

Small quantities remain while most formaldehyde is purified away.

 

4. Why is antibiotic in vaccines?

Vaccine contains antibiotics to prevent bacterial contamination during the production.

However, the type of antibiotics used in vaccines such as neomycin, streptomycin, polymyxin B, amphothericin B are not those to which people are usually allergic with.

 

5. Why immunise children at a young age?

Unlike an adult, children’s immunity is lower when there are young and prone to get sick on potentially life-threatening diseases.

 

6. Do vaccines really prevent diseases?

Yes.

Many evidences show a number of diseases (E.g. smallpox, polio, etc) successfully eradicated from the world or some part of the country.

7. My child is healthy & strong. Why does he/she need to be immunised?

The vaccine-preventable diseases are more vulnerable than what we think when it comes to infecting healthy and normal children.

There is no guarantee someone in good health will get rid of it.

 

8. Does vaccine confer 100% protection to my child against vaccine-preventable diseases?

Not really.

Immune response post-vaccination is varied and very individualised.

However, this protection can be enhanced by giving a repeated dose or booster and is better than not receiving any.

 

9. How long will the protection of a vaccine last?

Different vaccines provide protection for varying amounts of time.

Certain vaccines may confer lifelong immunity.

Other vaccines can protect up to 30 years.

 

10. Do immunization or thimerosal cause autism?

No.

Many studies have proven and reject the theory of vaccines causing autism.

There was a case of Andrew Wakefield, a British ex-physician claiming that MMR causes autism.

Other researchers were unable to reproduce Wakefield’s findings and a 2004 investigation by Sunday Times reporter Brian Deer identified undisclosed financial conflicts of interest on Wakefield’s part.

 

11. There seem to be so many childhood vaccines, won’t my child’s immune system be overwhelmed?

Our body’s immune system is able to respond to multiple changes.

Vaccines contain a much smaller number of antigens as compared to foreign antigens exposed through eating, drinking, and other activities.

Hence multiple vaccines given concurrently or within a short interval will not harm your children’s immune system.

 

12. Where can I get affordable immunization for my child?

At the nearest governmental health clinic, private clinics with vaccination and most private hospitals.

 

13. Advice for parents who have missed their child’s vaccination.

Prevention is always better than treating the disease.

For parents who missed their children immunisation, advice to see a doctor with experiences in doing vaccination in governmental health clinics or  see a private paediatrician for advice on the following catch up immunisation.