Should you vaccinate your baby?

Most new or soon-to-be parents have struggled, or are struggling with a common question. Are vaccinations safe for my baby? The answer is yes.

“There is a lot of misinformation floating around out there about the safety of vaccinations,” says Dr. Peter Azzopardi, Chief of Paediatric Medicine at TSH. “Vaccines have been said to cause a number of health problems including autism and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The reality is, these claims are just not true.”

Expert groups in Canada, and around the world, have researched and investigated these claims and have found no evidence of a link between vaccines and any of these health concerns.

“Vaccines are safe,” says Dr. Azzopardi. “Although some children may experience mild reactions from vaccinations, such as a sore arm or mild fever, the benefits of having your child vaccinated far outweigh the risks that come with the diseases the vaccinations prevent.”

In Ontario, when you vaccinate your child you protect them against a number of life-threatening diseases including:

• Whooping cough
• Polio
• Meningitis
• Measles
• Mumps
• German measles (rubella)
• Hepatitis
• Chickenpox
• Influenza

Many of these diseases are rare in Canada, and that’s because of our good vaccination rates. But they quickly reappear in Canadian populations who choose not to vaccinate – for example the measles outbreak in Quebec last year. As well, there is a risk if you travel to countries where the diseases are still common.

The flu vaccine is important for every member of the family. Many people don’t realize the flu can be much more debilitating than the common cold and has the potential for severe illness and even death. The flu shot will protect you. You may also choose to use the new nasal spray that’s available this year and is covered by most drug plans.

Talk to your doctor about when your child should be vaccinated.

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Health website to view a vaccination schedule and get more information about vaccinating your child.

Reducing the risk of SIDS in infants

Each year, thousands of parents experience the heartbreak of losing an infant to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  And although there is still no known reason for SIDS, there are opportunities to reduce the risk of these sudden and unexpected deaths in otherwise healthy babies.

“While we’re still baffled by what causes SIDS, we have been able to identify certain common elements that are seen more frequently in babies who die of SIDS,” said Dr. Leah Tattum, a Pediatrician at The Scarborough Hospital.

This research has led healthcare professionals to recommend the following practices to create a safe sleep environment for babies:

• Provide a smoke free environment – before and after birth.
• Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep – during night time and nap time.
• Place your baby to sleep in a crib next to the adult’s bed for the first six months.
• Provide a safe crib environment that has no toys or loose bedding (use only a fitted sheet).

Dr. Tattum also stresses the following facts parents should keep in mind about SIDS:

• It’s not caused by neglect or child abuse.
• It’s not contagious or infectious.
• It’s not hereditary.
• It’s not caused by vaccinations or toxic gases.
• It does not appear to cause a baby suffering.
• It’s no one’s fault.