Fiona Ma: Neighborhood Happenings

Eyeglasses and Cell Phones: Our office is collecting used eyeglasses and cell phones (plus chargers if possible) for use by seniors. Items may be dropped off at our office in City Hall, Room 260 or you may call (415) 554-7460 to find out where your nearest drop-off location is.

Ocean Beach Fire Policy: The Golden Gate National Recreation Area will be holding another public meetings to discuss changes to the Ocean Beach fire policy. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the GGNRA Park Headquarters Building # 201, First Floor Conference Room, at Fort Mason. There will be a presentation of the revised policy for Ocean Beach bonfires. For more information, call (415) 561-4733 or log on to www.nps.gov/goga and click on "news."

Mark Your Calendars: Please join me at the 2004 Lunar New Year Community Celebration on Jan. 24th from noon to 3 p.m. at the City Hall Rotunda. The event showcases diverse Asian traditions, food and performances. There will be "lucky" money distribution to children under 10 years old and the Asian American Donor Program will hold a registration drive for bone marrow donors. The event is free to the public. For more information, call (415) 554-7461.

Immunize and Vaccinate: As the SARS and Hepatitis A outbreaks have shown us recently, diseases could be just a plane ride away.

Fortunately, vaccines allow us an opportunity to prevent the infection and spread of many diseases. Below are six common myths about vaccines prepared by the SF Immunization Coalition. The coalition also offers free classes on the basics of immunization. For more information, contact www.sfimmunize.org or (415) 554-2567.

Common Vaccine Myths:

1. Diseases were already going away before vaccines because of better sanitation and hygiene.

No. The fact is that the number of cases of people getting diseases (measles, diphtheria, polio etc.) has dropped most dramatically right after the specific vaccine was licensed and administered to people.

2. The majority of people who get diseases have been vaccinated for it in the past.

Incorrect. No vaccine is 100 percent effective; in fact, most are between 85 - 95 percent effective. But the chances of getting a disease if you are not vaccinated are much greater than if you are vaccinated. Sometimes, statistically it appears as if more vaccinated people come down with these diseases but that is because a much greater percentage of people are vaccinated.

3. There are "hot lots" of vaccine that have more serious side effects than others.

Misperception. This idea came about because there is a system of reporting adverse reactions to vaccines, called VAERS. When there is a bad immediate reaction after a vaccine is given, even if it has nothing to do with the vaccine, it must be reported. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is constantly monitoring VAERS reports and if the number of reports is high for a particular lot, the FDA will recall the lot. So far, no vaccine lot in history has been found to be unsafe on the basis of VAERS reports.

4. Vaccines cause terrible side effects and may have long-term effects we do not know about.

Unproven. Vaccines are actually very safe: Most adverse effects consist of a sore arm or mild fever. As with anything, it is important to weigh the risks with benefits. The chance of a child having a serious reaction is tremendously rare, while the chance of an unvaccinated child coming down with, for example, measles if he or she is exposed is almost certain.

5. Those diseases don't exist in the U.S., so my child is not at risk for getting them.

False. Because of vaccines, these diseases certainly are not as prevalent as they once were, but they still exist, especially in other countries. Travelers to these countries can bring the diseases back here, where they could spread quickly. Vaccinations also help protect those who can not get vaccinations due to allergies or having diseases, like cancer.

6. It overloads a child's immune system if they get multiple vaccines at one time.

No. A child is exposed to hundreds of new foreign antigens each day - there is bacteria in the foods we eat, the air we breathe and in our noses and mouths all the time. Our immune systems are always fighting them off and producing new antibodies to do so. Combined vaccines help minimize the number of shots a baby has to get, which lowers the amount of pain a child must go through.