Prolepsis Institute on vaccination

September 7, 2018

“It is criminal, both at a social and personal-family level, for someone not to vaccinate their children. The anti-vaccination mindset speaks against the survival of the human population."  Athena Linos, Professor of Athens Medical School, President of Prolepsis Institute.

In regards to the issue of vaccination and the relevant discussion which took place during the TV program Alli Diastasi (you can watch it here), Prolepsis Institute underlines once again the need to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases. The Institute, as lead partner, has implemented two important European projects: HproImmune for promoting recommended vaccines to health professionals, and PROMOVAX for promoting vaccination among immigrants in Europe and reducing social inequalities in the health sector. 

Without underestimating the side effects of vaccines, which in their majority are rare, mild and without implications for human health (every medication has, after all, side effects), it must be highlighted that non-vaccination may significantly endanger life and public health. Indicatively:

Risks from measles:

1-3 in 1,000 people suffering from measles die from the disease, 1 in 1,000-2,000 people is likely to develop brain inflammation, which leads to neurological damages, etc. 
 

Risks from parotitis: 

Testicles inflammation (25-50% if the disease appears after puberty), brain, kidney, pancreas, spinal cord inflammation, etc.  
 

Risks from rubella: 

Brain inflammation (encephalitis 1 in 6,000 people), pneumonia, reduction of blood cells used in blood coagulation (thrombocytopenia 1 in 3,000 people) etc.

On the other hand, the risks resulting from the MMR vaccine, used to fight the aforementioned diseases, are rare and extremely rare: Acute allergic reaction, which could result from any vaccine, can occur only in 1 in 1,000,000 dosages. This means, if all children get vaccinated in Greece, only one child will have an allergic reaction every 6 to 7 years. Moreover, other, equally rare, risks from this particular vaccine are: temporary limb pain, testicles inflammation, swelling of salivary glands, brain inflammation or inflammation of the meninges, itchiness.

Please read the following: 

This material and educational tools were developed within the framework of the HProImmune project “Promotion of Immunization for Health Professionals in Europe” coordinated by Prolepsis Institute (2011-2014) with the participation of totally 10 organizations from 8 EU countries. This project was based on the 2009 flu pandemic experience and since 2014 foresaw the need to promote specific vaccines for the protection of health professionals, one of which is the MMR vaccine. 

 

Relative links
http://www.hproimmune.eu/
http://www.promovax.eu/