Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Aditi Gangal
Quick Take
A social media post claims that vaccines cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
An Instagram post claims that less than 1% of reactions are typically reported to VAERS. It highlights the absence of VAERS in medical school curricula, leading to a lack of awareness among most doctors. The post suggests that despite claims of rare reactions, severe outcomes listed in inserts could potentially lead to death, hinting at a connection between SIDS and vaccinations, suggesting that SIDS is VAERS.
Furthermore, the post contends that 75% of SIDS deaths occur within a week of receiving a vaccination.
The post has received 765 likes till we last checked.
We have attached the screenshot of the post below:
Fact Check
What is SIDS?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a tragic and unexplained death that usually occurs during sleep in a healthy infant, typically less than a year old. SIDS is also referred to as crib death because it often happens when a baby is sleeping in a crib.
The exact cause of SIDS is unknown. However, it is believed to involve a combination of factors, including physical factors, such as an immature respiratory control center in the brain, and environmental factors, like sleeping position or in an environment with smoke or other toxins.
Can vaccines cause SIDS?
No. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that vaccines cause SIDS. Also, we did not find the source of the graph shown in the claimed Instagram post.
As of now, the overwhelming consensus within the scientific and medical communities is that vaccines do not cause SIDS. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) website has referred to numerous studies to inform that vaccines do not cause SIDS.
The recommended childhood vaccination schedule has been extensively studied for safety, and rigorous scientific research has consistently shown that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing serious diseases without causing SIDS.
We found research that shows the known risk factors for SIDS include placing a baby on their stomach, using loose bedding, maternal consumption of alcohol, and smoking in proximity to an infant.
In fact, vaccines have been instrumental in reducing the risk of many infectious diseases that used to be major causes of infant mortality. The benefits of vaccination in preventing these diseases far outweigh the minimal risks of potential side effects associated with vaccines.
Dr Sumit Aggarwal, Scientist (D) and Program officer, Division of Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, informs that vaccines are not associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, since immunizations are given to about 90 percent of children less than 1 year of age, and many cases of SIDS occur every year, it would be expected, statistically, that every year about a few cases of SIDS will occur within 24 hours of receiving a vaccine. However, because the incidence of SIDS is the same in children who do or do not receive vaccines, we know that SIDS is not caused by vaccines.
Dr Aggarwal further informs, “The available research found that vaccination coverage for routinely used childhood vaccines was not associated with an increased risk of SIDS. Research also found no increased risk for sudden unexplained death (SUD) and any vaccination in the time windows of 0-7 days or 0-14 days after vaccine receipt”.
This isn’t the first time we have found inconsistent claims around SIDS. We previously debunked SIDS becoming nearly non-existent in 2020 due to a drop in vaccination among babies. In another story, we refuted the unusual percentage of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases reported to the VAERS.
What is VAERS?
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), functions as a passive surveillance mechanism gathering accounts of adverse events (potential side effects) post-vaccination. It is crucial to emphasize that VAERS reports do not replace clinical trials, which are structured to assess vaccines’ safety and efficacy. Submissions to VAERS can come from various sources, including healthcare professionals, patients, and vaccine producers. Although information from VAERS has been utilized to suggest a potential correlation between COVID-19 vaccines and their influence on natural immunity, it does not definitively establish a causal link between the vaccines and this particular effect.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
