Since that time, substantial achievements have been made in the control of many vaccine preventable diseases. Diseases such as smallpox and polio have virtually been eradicated. Yet, controversy continues over the safety of the use of vaccines. T he safety has been questioned because of adverse effects linked to vaccines as well as concerns regarding chemicals used in the manufacturing process. However, statistics show there are a small number of adverse effect reports as compared to the number of children that receive vaccinations each year.
Literature reports that no definitive evidence exists to link vaccines to all adverse effects.
Further studies are needed to document evidence of vaccines causing adverse effects. Studies indicate that the levels of chemicals used as preservatives in manufacturing vaccines are within a safe range. However, the FDA responded to the concerns by encouraging pharmaceutical companies to manufacture single dose vials of the vaccines without thimerosal, formaline, or other chemicals. Currently, according to CDC records, vaccination rates are at an all time high and occurrences of childhood diseases are at an all time low. Diseases that once killed thousands are now either eradicated or under control.