Vaccines Work

The production of a few vaccines, including those for varicella, rubella, hepatitis A, and one of the COVID-19 vaccines (Janssen, Johnson & Johnson) involves growing the viruses in human cell culture. Two human cell lines provide the cell cultures needed for producing vaccines; these lines were developed from two legally aborted fetuses in the 1960s. These cell lines are maintained to have an indefinite life span. No fetal tissue has been added since the cell lines were originally created. Some patients are concerned about this issue because of misinformation they have encountered on the Internet. Two such untrue statements are that ongoing abortions are needed to manufacture vaccines and vaccines are contaminated with fetal tissue. 

Patients can read the facts and several thought-provoking articles about this issue at www.immunize.org/talking-about-vaccines/religious-concerns.asp and then make an informed decision.

A Catholic Pontifical Academy for Life statement that Catholic parents have no general obligation to refuse permission for these vaccines is summarized at www.immunize.org/talking-about-vaccines/vaticandocument.htm

Some patients request that we space out their vaccinations because they are concerned that receiving multiple vaccinations at a single office visit might overwhelm their immune system. What do you think about using alternative schedules?

Vaccine recommendations are determined after extensive studies in large clinical trials. They include studies on how vaccine recipients respond to multiple vaccines given simultaneously. The overall aim is to provide early protection for infants, children and adults against vaccine-preventable diseases that could endanger their health and life.

No scientific evidence exists to support that delaying vaccinations or separating them into individual antigens is beneficial. Rather, this practice prolongs susceptibility to disease, which could result in a greater likelihood of becoming sick with a serious or life-threatening disease. There could also be added expense (e.g., multiple office visits), additional time off from work, and increased likelihood that you will fail to get all necessary vaccinations.

As the name implies, VAERS is a nationwide system for monitoring adverse events following vaccination. VAERS is operated jointly by the FDA and the CDC since 1990.

How do I report an adverse event to VAERS?

Reports can be submitted online through the VAERS website or by completing and uploading a writable PDF VAERS report form. Both options can be accessed on the VAERS website at vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. If you need further assistance with reporting to VAERS, please email info@VAERS.org or call 1-800-822-7967.