The Lightning Bolt
NOAA states that the chance a person will be struck by lightening in any given year are 1/500,000.
Let's compare the risk of contracting (C) and/or dying from (D) a vaccine preventable diseases in everyone (E) and/or children under 5 (5) specifically.
Diphtheria: .005/500,000 (C/E)
Tetanus: .08/500,000 (C/E)
Pertussis: 140/500,000 (D/5) In 2007 there were only 8 reported deaths in the country, however.
Haemophilus Influenzae B: .65/500,000 (C/5)
Hepatitis B: >1/500,000 (C/5) It's so small that there are no statistics on it in children
Rotavirus: 1.2/500,000 (D/5) , prior to introduction of vaccine. In 2007, there were 2 deaths according to the CDC
Pneumococcal: 1.95/500,000 (C/5) According to the CDC, 8 deaths were reported in 2007
Polio: .0001/500,000 (C/E) No cases in U.S.
What is a parent to do? Pertussis seems like the worst one. It carries the highest risk of death, but only in children who are no yet eligible to receive the vaccine. Once they reach the age of vaccination their risk of death is almost non-existent. Rotavirus has a slightly higher chance of death than chance of getting hit by lightening. And your child has about double the chance of contracting pneumococcal disease than getting struck by lightning.
My next step was to look at the adverse reaction rates. Each vaccine carries an inherent risk that your child will experience an adverse event following the administration of the vaccine. Once you have a better idea of the risks the vaccine itself carries, you can better make an informed decision for you baby.
Data's were pulled exclusively from MMWR and show rates prior to advent of the vaccine when possible.
Let's compare the risk of contracting (C) and/or dying from (D) a vaccine preventable diseases in everyone (E) and/or children under 5 (5) specifically.
Diphtheria: .005/500,000 (C/E)
Tetanus: .08/500,000 (C/E)
Pertussis: 140/500,000 (D/5) In 2007 there were only 8 reported deaths in the country, however.
Haemophilus Influenzae B: .65/500,000 (C/5)
Hepatitis B: >1/500,000 (C/5) It's so small that there are no statistics on it in children
Rotavirus: 1.2/500,000 (D/5) , prior to introduction of vaccine. In 2007, there were 2 deaths according to the CDC
Pneumococcal: 1.95/500,000 (C/5) According to the CDC, 8 deaths were reported in 2007
Polio: .0001/500,000 (C/E) No cases in U.S.
What is a parent to do? Pertussis seems like the worst one. It carries the highest risk of death, but only in children who are no yet eligible to receive the vaccine. Once they reach the age of vaccination their risk of death is almost non-existent. Rotavirus has a slightly higher chance of death than chance of getting hit by lightening. And your child has about double the chance of contracting pneumococcal disease than getting struck by lightning.
My next step was to look at the adverse reaction rates. Each vaccine carries an inherent risk that your child will experience an adverse event following the administration of the vaccine. Once you have a better idea of the risks the vaccine itself carries, you can better make an informed decision for you baby.
Data's were pulled exclusively from MMWR and show rates prior to advent of the vaccine when possible.