I have heard vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they protect against. Isn't it safer for my child to get the disease?
  • Results of a study published in the June 2010 issue of Pediatrics show that the biggest risk among children who are not vaccinated is the disease itself, as well as the risk of spreading the disease to more vulnerable populations who, for age or medical reasons, are unable to get vaccinated. (1)
  • A recent 2010 pertussis outbreak in California resulted in 10 deaths. (2)
  • According to pediatrician Dr. Randy Bergen, a number of large vaccine safety studies have been published in the last 10 years. "None of these studies have proven an association between a vaccine, a preservative in a vaccine, or a combination of vaccines, and significant adverse problems." Vaccines in this country are safe, he adds, they, "prevent diseases that can maim and kill". (3)
  • Even one serious adverse event from a vaccine cannot be justified if there were no benefits from vaccines. But vaccines prevent serious complications from illness and death. (10)

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1. I have heard vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they protect against. Isn't it safer for my child to get the disease?
2. Can vaccines cause encephalitis (brain inflammation) and other severe consequences?
3. If vaccines are safe, why has the federal government paid more than $2 billion to children and adults injured by vaccines?
4. Is it possible that aluminum in vaccines could be harmful to normal, healthy babies?
5. Is it true many as 50% of vaccines used in the U.S. contain mercury, which has been linked in the media with autism?
6. I have heard about the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). Does this mean there are more dangers from vaccines than are being reported to VAERS?
7. Why should I vaccinate my child when vaccines are not 100% effective and don't always last a lifetime?
8. Is it difficult to get legal exemptions to vaccination for school enrollment?