Editor's note: This is part one of a two-part series on childhood vaccinations

Ask any child who has received a vaccination or any parent who has watched their child get one and they will tell you, plain and simple -- shots hurt. However, compared to the risk of complications of illness or disease, the five seconds of pain that accompanies many immunizations is well worth it. On the other hand, what about the side effects of the immunizations themselves? What risks are involved? This controversy has prevented many parents from having their children immunized against such illnesses as polio, diphtheria, tetanus and varicella. Is this really the wise choice?

With the age of the Internet upon us, access to a wider variety of topics, concerns and issues can be gained with a click of a mouse. This is not always a positive aspect as too much of the wrong information can cause parents to make misinformed decisions. For example, there is a vast database of information on the complications of immunizations over the Web; some that support this theory and some that oppose it. According to Renee McLeod, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, Calif., the information regarding the risks of medical complications as a result of immunizations holds no real validity.

"The research that has been done, most of which is coming out of England, talks about immunizations causing complications such as autism -- specifically the relation between the MMR vaccine and autism -- is very poor research and was not well done," says McLeod. "There are no true studies out there, Internet or otherwise, that show or prove this information to be correct. Currently there is actually no relationship between vaccine and any kind of complications such as ADHD, autism or neurological disorders."

Parents are aware of this type of information that is available, but may not be aware of what merit -- or lack thereof -- it holds. "I have been reading about other complications, such as a possible link between mercury in vaccines and ADD or even autism," says Marni Roiniotis, a mother from Chicago, Ill. "I've come to the conclusion that perhaps the decision about vaccinating kids is not as simple as previously thought."

Suspecting her child may suffer from autism, Susan Chyczewski, a stay-at-home mom from State College, Pa., also encountered information regarding the suspicion of immunizations causing these complications. "My older son had developmental delays and has an odd habit of rocking when tired or excited," says Chyczewski. "At one point we were concerned he might be autistic. So I did do a lot of reading on autism and it seems that earlier claims I had found that linked autism and vaccinations cannot be substantiated after all."

Through the use of vaccines, many of these life-threatening illnesses have been eradicated from society. Oftentimes, this works to the disadvantage of children as their parents assume the disease or illness poses no threat any longer. "The problem that is happening with parents now is that they have never seen these diseases -- with the exception of chicken pox," says McLeod. "They have never seen a person with polio, diphtheria, measles or tetanus. So, the five seconds of that shot to prevent these diseases seems far worse then the disease because these parents do not have the conception or focus of what the disease is truly about."

There are parents who have witnessed the disease first hand and know the ramifications of what the illness can do. "I am old enough to know polio victims. I always thought that vaccinating children was the only responsible choice," says Roiniotis. "With 'live' vaccines I knew there was a risk of my child contracting the disease, but considered it minimal when compared to epidemics of diseases that caused death or severe permanent disabilities."

Many of these illnesses and diseases may not be epidemic in the United States, but remain in other countries where immunizations are not available or easily accessed. "As a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa in 1990 to 1992, I saw children and adults with polio begging in the street and observed the devastating consequences of limited vaccines first hand," says Chyczewski.

Education through local doctors, hotlines and even through the Center of Disease Control (CDC) itself can help parents understand that the choice they make regarding immunizations is vital to their child's health. "I think if parents are educated about what the complications are, which a lot of parents do not know or understand, they would opt for the a shot over the disease," says McLeod. "For example, parents do not know that death, physical disfigurement and disability are all complications of chicken pox. For some, all it takes is a description of what the disease is like, what it can do or even just to see a picture of someone who has the disease. Being informed, with good, accurate information is the first step."

Preventative medicine is a trend that is not going away. Physicals, checkups and routine visits are all measures of preventative medicine. According to McLeod, immunizations are just one more step on the path to healthy, happy children. "Vaccines are the most cost effective preventive measure we have in medicine today," she says. "It is much better to deal with the pain of a five-second shot then to run the risk of disfiguring or deadly complications from an illness knowing it could be prevented. It is not a matter of scaring a parent; it is a matter of educating them as to what is best, medically, for their child. And isn't that what it is all about anyway -- the children?"

Part two of this series illustrates the feelings of parents and experts who feel immunizations should not be given to children.