DISEASES
that are preventable by vaccines continue to pose a real threat to the health
of individuals, families and communities in Brunei Darussalam.
Measles
can lead to lung infections, seizures, brain damage and death. Mumps can lead
to deafness and meningitis (an infection to the membranes that surround and
protect the brain and spinal cord). Polio can lead to fever, paralysis and
meningitis.
Vaccines
are the most effective and proven means to protect us and our children from all
the above life-threatening illnesses.
Here are
some myths and facts about vaccination:
Myth 1:
Better hygiene and sanitation will make diseases disappear – vaccines are not
necessary. FALSE.
Fact 1:
Harmful diseases preventable by vaccines will return if we do not continue to
vaccinate. While better hygiene, hand washing and clean water help protect
against infectious diseases, many infections can spread regardless of how clean
we are.
If people
are not vaccinated, diseases that have become uncommon, such as polio and
measles, will quickly reappear and spread.
Myth 2:
Vaccines have several damaging and long-term side-effects that are unknown.
Vaccination can even be fatal. FALSE.
Fact 2:
Vaccines are very safe. Most vaccine reactions are usually minor and temporary,
such as a sore arm or mild fever.
Serious
health events are extremely rare and are carefully monitored and investigated.
You are
far more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable disease than
by a vaccine.
Myth 3:
Vaccine-preventable diseases are almost eradicated in my country, so there is
no reason to be vaccinated. FALSE.
Fact 3:
Brunei Darussalam through the success of our National Immunisation Programme
has eliminated a number of vaccine preventable diseases like polio, congenital
rubella syndrome (a maternal infection in early pregnancy), haemophilus
influenza Type B meningitis, whooping cough and measles, mainly due to high
population coverage of immunisation. However, the viruses and bacteria that
cause vaccine-preventable diseases and death still exist. We must not forget
that some countries are still battling with vaccine preventable diseases like
measles and diphtheria.
Viruses
do not need a passport to travel and get imported to a country. Successful
vaccination programmes, like successful societies, depend on the cooperation of
every individual to ensure the good of all. We should not rely on people around
us to stop the spread of disease; we too must do what we can and prevent these
illnesses from making a comeback.
Myth 4:
Giving a child more than one vaccine at a time can increase the risk of harmful
side-effects, which can overload the child’s immune system. FALSE.
Fact 4:
Scientific evidence shows that giving several vaccines at a time has no adverse
effects on a child’s immune system. Combinations of vaccines given at the same
time has been examined and declared safe for use.
Myth 5:
Vaccines contain mercury which is dangerous. FALSE.
Fact 5:
There is no evidence that thiomersal (a mercury-based preservative) in vaccines
has caused any health problems, except perhaps minor reactions such as redness
at the injection site.
Myth 6: Vaccines cause autism. FALSE.
Fact 6:
There is no scientific evidence to support the notion of a link between any
vaccine and the likelihood of developing autism.
Nowadays,
there is greater public awareness of autism, and more parents are seeking help.
What is clear, however, is that there is no such link between vaccines and
autism.
Myth 7:
Vaccines can cause cancer. FALSE.
Fact 7: Two
vaccines – hepatitis B vaccine and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine –
actually act to directly prevent cancer.
The
hepatitis B vaccine prevents liver cancer (associated with hepatitis B
infection) and the HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancers (associated with HPV
infection).
Myth 8:
Vaccination of young children can cause seizures: FALSE.
Fact 8:
Febrile convulsions (sometimes referred to as seizures) are a relatively common
response to fever of any cause in young children and not necessarily because of
vaccination.
Myth 9:
Childhood vaccines contains porcine. FALSE.
Fact 9:
All types of childhood immunisation vaccines registered and procured by the
Ministry of Health of Brunei Darussalam have been declared to have no alcohol
content and no animal origin including porcine.
All
registered medicinal products undergo quality and safety assessment by the
Ministry of Health.
In
conclusion, as a nation we need to continually support and need active
involvement of all in the community – individuals, parents, families, and other
stakeholders including schools to be vigilant and to work together to maintain
and enhance the coverage of all immunisation across all ages in order to avoid
the resurgence of dangerous diseases and the unnecessary illness associated
with them, and do our part in protecting and promoting a healthy Brunei.
Ministry
of Health
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