Vaccine hesitancy is a common fear, and misinformation spreads quickly. Many parents today have never even seen the diseases their children are being vaccinated against. In this article, Dr. Kim Guida, a recently retired physician at Pullman Family Medicine, addresses the questions and concerns she hears most often. She also explains why protecting your child also means protecting your community.
Starting with the Concern, Not the Handout
When parents express hesitancy about vaccines, Dr. Guida's first step is to listen. “Rather than just giving them a handout, I really feel like we need to take extra time to find out what exactly they're concerned about and where their hesitancy is coming from,” she shares. Concerns range from worries about minor side effects to questions about preservatives to outright skepticism about the medical establishment.
Her guidance is rooted in the recommendations of organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Dr. Guida also recommends a website called Voices for Vaccines, which offers science-based information alongside personal family stories. “It's basically like a family sort of website that has a lot of personal anecdotes, as well as good science that families can look at,” she explains.
Why Vaccines Still Matter for Diseases We Rarely See
One of the biggest challenges in vaccine conversations today is that many parents have never witnessed the illnesses vaccines prevent. Measles is a prime example. Introduced in the early 1960s, the measles vaccine is 96-97% effective. Cases dropped so dramatically that most people have never seen the disease. But, that success has created a false sense of security.
“If you get the vaccine, we're not going to see cases of measles,” Dr. Guida emphasizes. “But then, some people think, ‘Well, measles isn't here anyway.’ Well, it is here.” Outbreaks are becoming more common as vaccination rates decline. And measles is serious. The truth is, 30% of cases involve complications like pneumonia or brain inflammation that can cause lasting damage or death.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is another disease that has seen a resurgence. Particularly dangerous for young babies, it can lead to hospitalization on a ventilator and, in some cases, death. “For babies, a lot of times, they end up on ventilators and can even die from whooping cough because of the overwhelming respiratory infection,” Dr. Guida warns.
What About Side Effects?
Serious reactions to vaccines are extremely rare; on the order of one in a million. The common side effects—a low-grade fever, fussiness, fatigue, or redness at the injection site—are actually signs the vaccine is doing its job.
“All of those symptoms are really just evidence that the vaccine is working, revving up the immune system to protect that baby and develop essential antibodies,” Dr. Guida assures. Most of the time, a dose of Tylenol is all that is needed to ease any discomfort.
Helping Kids Through the Experience
Parents can do a lot to make vaccine visits easier. Staying calm matters! Even babies can pick up on parental anxiety. Holding a child firmly but gently, singing softly, reading a book, or breastfeeding can all help.
For older children, Dr. Guida says honesty is key. “Don't tell them it's not going to hurt, because it will hurt a little bit,” she advises. “But, it's also over with pretty quickly.” She cautions against using shots as a threat or promising a child they will not need one if that is not certain.
The Bigger Picture: Keeping Everyone Safe
Ultimately, Dr. Guida frames vaccine decisions as both a personal and a community responsibility. “To any individual parent, your kid is the world,” she notes. “You would do anything to protect your child, as would every other parent.”
But, herd immunity only works when enough people participate. A child who goes unvaccinated and stays healthy may owe that safety to the vaccinated children around them. “We live in groups. We're social creatures. And we need to protect ourselves and each other.”
For more information on Pullman Regional's primary care services, visit our Primary Care webpage.