Dear Colleagues:
Regarding vaccination and risks, it has been stated on the net that, in
the case of measles and chickenpox, pregnant women should not be vaccinated.
I've forgotten my basic immunology. Is it because the vaccine is attenuated
yet may be pathogenic to the fetus because the virus, but not maternal
antibodies, can cross the placental barrier?
At any rate, the above is a good example that there are risks but
that these are not random nor overwhelming. With a little knowledge these
risks can be greatly reduced to become non-issues.
Another example I read some time ago was about the smallpox vaccine. In
an English village (in the 1950s?) that had a harbour and was exposed to a
crew carrying the disease, 17 people died to smallpox, 27 people died to the
vaccine. The numbers are unfair because there were more of the people
vaccinated than were exposed to the disease. Still, the article said that the
vaccine (attenuated but live) is deadly to those with skin diseases such as
eczema.
By knowing the susceptibility of the recipient (e.g. skin disease,
pregnant, very young, etc.) one can make the decision whether to immunize or
not immunize. By not doing so, one blindly risks lives.
Any other examples?....John
