Vaccines against influenza, measles, mumps or tetanus are not associated with more serious side effects than previously known.
- The last study on the safety of these vaccines was published in 2014.
- The researchers found no new serious side effects associated with their administration.
- According to the World Health Organization, vaccination prevents between two and three million deaths each year.
This is a new argument against anti-vaccines: researchers have studied the safety of different common vaccines, given to adults and children. They confirm their interest in the protection of the population. The results of their analyzes have been published in the journal Vaccinated. “This work supports vaccination policies designed to protect ourselves and others from a wide range of diseases“, underlines Dr. Courtney Gidengil, the main author of this study.
Limited side effects
In total, the researchers analyzed 338 studies carried out on the safety of commonly administered vaccines, with the exception of those against Covid-19. They concerned in particular the vaccine against influenza, that against measles, against the human papillomavirus (HPV) or even that against tetanus. Their results demonstrate a lack of link between the vaccine against measles, rubella and mumps, called MMR, and autism, an argument frequently put forward by anti-vaccines. On the other hand, this product increases the risk of febrile seizures, even if it remains limited, and these seizures generally do not cause long-term sequelae. The HPV vaccine and the meningitis vaccine are not associated with an increased risk of side effects in children and adolescents. For adults, flu or hepatitis B vaccines are also not linked to higher risks of adverse effects. In pregnant women, there is no evidence that administration of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis increases side effects, such as stillbirth.
Safe and necessary products for our protection
“This study is an important reminder that vaccines are safe, and that whatever risk they pose is largely outweighed by their ability to protect us from disease“, indicates Dr. Courtney Gidengil. All the side effects identified during this new research were already known before and remain few according to its conclusions. The authors of the study note that the rates of vaccination remain high among children, but they are lower in pregnant women and adults. The results of this research could help reduce mistrust of vaccines. In 2019, the World Health Organization ranked anti-vaccines among the ten threats to global health, such as dengue or measles.
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