6 Dec. 15 - Jan. 18, 2008
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Immunization from Page 1
these same vaccines and that Maricopa County lags U.S. in 2006, there were 11.4 per 100,000 adverse effects “There was a study done in England in 1998 that
behind with a vaccinated rate of only 68 percent.” reported.” suggested such a link,” Kampfe says. “There were only
Kampfe believes at least part of the issue revolves Of the children adversely affected, 26 percent 12 children involved in this study, and the majority of
around the signifi cant number of unvaccinated developed a fever. Only 1.6 cases per 100,000 affected the researchers later retracted the fi ndings. However,
children from other countries who come into Arizona indicated a serious negative reaction, most commonly this report has reached a kind of urban myth status in
on a regular basis. Areas where rates of unvaccinated an allergic response called anaphylaxis typically related some areas. In fact, subsequent studies done with well
children are high can lead to outbreaks of preventable to an unknown allergy to a component of the vaccine. over 1,000 children not only failed to fi nd such a link, but
diseases. “The number of vaccines available grows all the time, actually found a slightly lower rate of autism, although
though,” Kampfe says, “largely due to the fact that they not statistically signifi cant, among children who had
CUSD allows exemptions
are effective, safe and much better to have than the received the MMR vaccine. Most leading autism experts
The Chandler Unifi ed School District (CUSD) allows
diseases they are designed to prevent.” completely discount vaccines as a contributing factor to
children to attend school without vaccinations if they
One example is the vaccine for chicken pox, or varicella, the disorder.”
have a signed exemption for medical reasons or personal
a common disease that most adults suffered through “There is also a concern that too many vaccines
or religious beliefs. According to Lead District Nurse
as children. A vaccine for chicken pox was licensed in stress the young immune system,” continues Kampfe.
June Carson, RN, BSN, MS, the district has not seen a
the United States in 1995 and a combination measles, “However, the young immune system is constantly
rise in unvaccinated children over the past 15 years.
mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine was being stressed with the presence of germs and viruses
“However, CUSD follows the communicable disease
licensed in 2005. According to Kampfe, one reason for in the home and other areas. This is how it develops
guidelines set by the Arizona Department of Health
the development of this vaccine is the presence of MRSA, antibodies so that it can work. Unfortunately, the only
Services,” explains Carson. “If there is an outbreak, for
a “super bug” that can infect the skin and lead to drug- way to develop immunity to a disease such as polio
example, of MMR, students without the required two
resistant and sometimes fatal meningitis or pneumonia. without being vaccinated is to actually get the disease
doses would be kept out for a determined length of time
“The chicken pox rash is an open invitation to a skin in some form.”
unless the vaccination is received.”
infection,” says Kampfe. “Again, the vaccine is so much For parents who would like to immunize their child
Children typically begin the immunization process
safer than risking the complications from the disease.” but lack the fi nancial means, CUSD can help.
as infants and continue to receive vaccines throughout
“I started a vaccine clinic four years ago to vaccinate
childhood. Purported autism link, excess
students at school,” says Carson. “Vaccine is ordered
“A fully vaccinated child will receive roughly 30
vaccines a concern
free of charge from the Vaccine for Children Program.
doses of nine different vaccines to have been fully
Consent forms are signed by parents and the district
However, some local parents do make the choice
immunized by standard recommendations,” explains
nurses go school to school giving shots. CUSD does
not to vaccinate their children and the Internet is full
Kampfe, although she adds that “more work is being
what we can to keep kids in school.”
of concerned parents discussing the possible dangers
done to combine basic vaccines so that children can
Though regarded medically safe and effective, some
of vaccination.
receive fewer shots.”
parents still fret over vaccinating their child.
“I believe that as more vaccines are released and
“There is a sense that we are all losing control,”
become required, there is a general resistance by parents
Adverse reactions rare
Kampfe says. “I have some sympathy for this, and I
to being told what to do by health professionals and
do think that it is always good to question and study
“Vaccines are generally safer and more effective as their state and local governments. They are becoming
what is being recommended for your child’s health.
research continues and the manufacturers and the informed through the internet and other sources, and
Hopefully, healthcare providers will do a better job in
federal government continue to respond to public want to be the fi nal decision-makers in their children’s
providing accurate resources for their patients.”
concerns,” Kampfe continues. “The proven or known lives,” says Kampfe.
risk is minimal to any individual child. The most recent Based on Kampfe’s experience, the most common
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer and lives with her husband
reported statistics indicate that out of more than 1.9 reason for refusal is related to the widely-discussed
and their two sons in Cooper Commons. She can be reached at
billion doses of vaccines distributed throughout the possibility of a link between vaccines and autism.
Natalie@SanTanSun.com.
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