The Effects of Vaccination

What are the risks and benefits associated with vaccines? Mary Koslap‐Petraco DNP, PNPPC‐BC, CPNP, FAANP of Stony Brook University School of Nursing and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner House Calls explains the effects of vaccination in an interview filmed at the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners 40th national conference in New Orleans.

Mary Koslap‐Petraco DNP, PNPPC‐BC, CPNP, FAANP: Almost every vaccine that we give can have a side effect of redness or swelling. There are some very, very, very rare complications, such as encephalitis with whooping cough or pertussis vaccine. But, quite frankly, in the 30 years that I’ve practiced, I have never, ever seen those risks. Some of the vaccines, like the oral vaccine, for rotavirus might cause some diarrhea, but again, very limited side effects. Most commonly with the vaccines we see today are the sore, red arm or the sore, red leg.

The benefits are outstanding. The benefits are not just protecting our babies and our young children, but everyone, from vaccine-preventable diseases. Right now, there’s a current issue with the measles outbreak. We’ve got really good data that clearly indicates almost every one of the measles cases was either in an unvaccinated person or someone who did not have 2 doses.