Are immunizations dangerous

Answer 1

Immunizations are an exercise in risk. First of all, not all immunizations are alike, and some kinds of immunizations use fragments of a potential pathogen and some kinds of immunizations use whole and viable, but weakened immunizations. So one cannot speak to the issue of ALL immunizations with similar statements of risk. However, some general statements regarding risks can be made. Immunizations, on the whole, reduce the overall Death Rate for the disease in the selected population. Some immunizations in the past (and surely in the future), may contain impurities and/or have unforeseen consequences which may lead to death or illness. All immunizations carry some degree of risk, and occasionally, that risk is not well defined. Most immunizations carry a very small degree of risk and the benefits of the vaccine are far outweigh the risks. Some deaths may occur (due to anaphylactic shock, sepsis, etc) even for immunizations that carry an "acceptable" level of risk. Forced immunizations for illnesses that have a low prevalence may be argued to have an unacceptable degree of risk, even though the inherent risk is otherwise negligible. Overall, based on risk-benefit analyses, when deciding whether to receive an immunization treatment (such as a flu vaccine), it is generally better to accept the small risk associated with the treatment, to receive the great benefit conveyed. Furthermore, by accepting the risk, one is also benefiting society by increasing "herd immunity" that can help prevent the widespread migration of a pathogen. When making the decision for one's children the decision can be more challenging due to our inherent desire to protect our children, and the immediate "threat" appears to be greater than the "what if" threat posed by a potential illness - nevertheless, especially then, we need to be open to the objective consultations of the medical community.

Answer 2

Immunizations are generally safe and effective in preventing diseases. While they may cause mild side effects like soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever, serious complications are rare. The benefits of immunizations in preventing serious illnesses far outweigh the risks.