TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Vaccination or immunization is one of the important medical activities applied to children. Immunization will help create a strong immune system to deal with various viruses and bacteria that cause disease through the formation of antibodies.
Unfortunately related to vaccination, there are still many wrong opinions about its use. As a form of education to parents, the Pediatrician at Pondok Indah Caessar Pronocitro Hospital in a press statement received by Tempo.co on July 2, 2020 corrected several myths that were spread in the community.
- Myth first: Vaccination can cause autism
Caessar said that there are still many people who believe that vaccination can cause autism. This is supported by the research of a surgeon named Wakefield with only 18 samples in 1998 concerning the linkage of the MMR vaccine and autism.Caessar denied the study. “Other studies that are more valid and involve much larger samples prove there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. It is possible that the age of MMR vaccine (around 1 year) coincides with the age at which the symptoms of autism begin to appear, so as if related, “he said.
- Second myth: Some vaccinations are not mandatory so it is not important to be given.
According to Caessar, each vaccine prevents different diseases. For example there are vaccines for Hepatitis B, BCG, polio, DPT combos, and measles. However, that does not mean other vaccines are not important. “The PCV vaccine prevents lung inflammation (pneumonia) and inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis). Pneumonia is the number one cause of infant mortality in Indonesia. Rotavirus vaccine prevents diarrhea due to rotavirus. Diarrhea is the second leading cause of infant mortality in Indonesia. So the vaccine still has to be done, “he said. - Myth three: Children who cough, runny nose, or take medicine should not be vaccinated
Caessar explained that the condition of a mild cold cough without fever is not contraindicated for vaccination. Moreover, most drugs, including antibiotics, do not affect the potential of the vaccine.The doctor will do an examination first to make sure the child is not in a condition of severe illness. “Because if the child gets treatment that is suppressing immunity for a long period of time, the administration of the vaccine must be postponed so that the first treatment continues to run optimally,” he said.
- The vaccine cannot be given if it is too late for the schedule
According to Caessar, the vaccine can still be proposed if it is too late. Especially if the child does not have immunity from the vaccine. “One more thing, giving serial vaccines does not need to repeat from the beginning if there is a late one,” he said.SARAH ERVINA DARA SIYAHAILATUA
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