There are lingering concerns over the safety of various vaccines. Some parents are so concerned about the possible adverse effects of vaccines that they decide not to immunize their children, denying them one of the best ways to prevent serious diseases.
A recent study in California reinforces the safety of vaccinating newborns against hepatitis B. The concern was whether vaccinating newborns against this potentially lethal bacteria increases their risk of dying from other causes. In this study of over 350,000 infants born between 1993 and 1998, 1,363 died. There was no significant difference in the percentage of immunized newborns who died compared to the those who were not immunized against hepatitis B. The number of children who died during their first month of life was actually less for children who were immunized.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 7/04.
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