Disclaimer - I'm a non-vaxer after thousands of hours spent researching the diseases we vax against, and I only have Canadian data, but to give you an idea...here are "just the facts" with the fear messaging taken out:
Diptheria
• Diptheria is an upper respiratory tract illness characterized by sore throat, low grade fever and irritation of the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity. Most cases are not life-threatening and resemble a common cold.
• This disease is almost non-existent in our country. In Canada, on average over the last 50 years, there have been between 0 and 5 cases reported each year in a population of over 33,000,000 people, (current population is estimated at 33,043,854). This means that, based on data from the last 50 years, a Canadian (adult or child) has a 0.0000001% chance of contracting diphtheria in a "peak" year.
• The case-fatality rate for diphtheria is 5% to 10%.
• Therefore, statistically, on a worst-case scenario basis, a Canadian today has a zero percent chance of dying of diphtheria, (10% of 0.0000001%).
• Zero deaths have been reported in Canada in the last 14 years.
• The diphtheria shot is 95% effective at creating immunity, (5% will not become immune).
• The product monographs published by the manufacturer of common Diptheria vaccines approved for use in Canada, including contraindications, warnings and precautions, can be found here
http://www.sanofipasteur.ca/sanofi-p...odeRubrique=72
• Pediacel made by Sanofi Pasteur is the one intended for infants and children:
http://www.vaccineshoppecanada.com/s...Pediacel_E.pdf
Tetanus
• Tetanus is not a contagious disease. It is caused by bacteria spores found in the intestines of animals and in soil contaminated with feces. These spores enter the human body through a puncture wound, laceration or burn. The tetanus bacteria can only survive without oxygen, however if a wound bleeds, the bacteria is exposed to oxygen and cannot survive. This is why tetanus, as an illness, is normally found in the elderly and people with poor circulation, and rarely – if ever – found in children, (who generally have strong blood circulation).
• Tetanus is extremely rare in Canada, and statistically non-existent in children.
• Even in the 1920's and 1930's, where farming, living and working conditions were "ideal" for tetanus, and when medical resources and wound care were very poor, only 40-50 deaths were reported annually in the entire country, (of an estimated population of more than 10,000,000 at that time). That means that in 1930, you had a 0.000005% chance of dying of tetanus.
• There was a rise in tetanus cases in the 1940's, noted as attributable to injuries from WWII and inadequate wound care.
• Over the last 47 years, there have been less than 20 cases reported annually in Canada, with less than 10 cases reported annually over the last 27 years.
• More than half of the cases reported were in people over age 50.
• In the year 2000, there were only 3 cases reported in all of Canada.
• In 2001, 8 cases were reported in Canada; 1 case was aged 30-39; 2 cases were aged 40-59, 5 cases were aged 60+.
• In 2002, one case was reported in Canada; the person was over age 60.
• In 2003, one case was reported in Canada; the person was over age 60.
• In 2004, two cases were reported, one aged 30-39, one aged 60+.
• Not all who contract tetanus will die from it; the death rate from tetanus is 20%.
• Therefore, based on a "worst-case scenario" from data from the last 27 years, statistically, your child has a zero percent chance of dying from tetanus, (IF there were 10 cases of tetanus IN CHILDREN in a given year, - unlikely given there have been none in the last 100years but for arguments sake lets say there were 10 - out of a current population of 33,043,854; the odds of contracting tetanus are 0.0000003%, and the odds of dying from it are 20% of that = statistically = 0).
• There are no traceable reported cases of tetanus in babies or children in Canada, (and no traceable reported cases of a baby or child dying of tetanus in Canada).
• The tetanus vaccine does not guarantee immunity.
• The product monographs published by the manufacturer of common Tetanus vaccines approved for use in Canada, including contraindications, warnings and precautions, can be found here
http://www.sanofipasteur.ca/sanofi-p...odeRubrique=72
• Pediacel made by Sanofi Pasteur is the one intended for infants and children:
http://www.vaccineshoppecanada.com/s...Pediacel_E.pdf
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Pertussis is an infection of the respiratory tract. Mild/moderate cases can resemble a cold. The greatest incidence of pertussis is in infants under 1 year of age and the second highest is in children aged 10-14 years, (contracting it). Deaths from pertussis are rare.
• Over the last 17 years, the annual number of reported cases of Pertussis has ranged from 2,400 to 10,200.
• On average, one to three deaths occur each year in Canada from pertussis, (in a population of approximately 33,043,854), most of which are in premature infants or infants under 4 months old.
• Therefore, 0.0003% of the population will contract pertussis.
• 0.001% to 0.002% will die from it – mainly premature infants or those under 4 months old.
• Over the last 5 years, there have been between 330,000 and 350,000 births per year in Canada.
• Therefore, if, as a "worst-case scenario", all cases of pertussis are in babies, (which we know they are not), 0.000009% of babies will die of pertussis each year.
• If your baby is not premature and/or is now at least 3-4 months old, it is very unlikely that they will die of pertussis.
• The vaccine used in Canada does not guarantee immunity; it prevents the disease approximately 85% of the time. Generally the vaccine does not provide immunity until after the third or fourth dose, given between 6 – 18 months, after the risk has declined substantially.
• The product monographs published by the manufacturer of common Pertussis vaccines approved for use in Canada, including contraindications, warnings and precautions, can be found here
http://www.sanofipasteur.ca/sanofi-p...odeRubrique=72
• Pediacel made by Sanofi Pasteur is the one intended for infants and children:
http://www.vaccineshoppecanada.com/s...Pediacel_E.pdf
So based on my research Pertussis does not seem to be a strong health risk for an 18 month old and based on prior reactions I would not vaccinate my child again, but that's me...
Hope this helps!
--they are fine. Ds did have pertussis at 2, but his worst illness was actually bacterial pink eye at 5; it came with respirator symptoms and we all were quite sick from it.
