Informative Essay On Vaccination
Vaccines are an essential part of preventative care throughout life. Their purpose is to protect people and prevent them from catching diseases that can be dangerous and even life threatening . Before vaccines were created, almost everyone in the U.S. contracted the measles and a about couple hundred would die yearly from it. Today, it’s rare for a doctor to see someone infected with measles. The development of vaccines is a long and complex process that takes about 10-15 years. Vaccines protect people and those who cannot get vaccinated due to either being too young or allergic, there are a few people who voluntarily opt out from having their children getting vaccinated. People of the anti-vaccine movement refuse to have their children vaccinated because of their personal beliefs, and in return can be threatening for those who are unable to be vaccinated due to age, health and pregnancy. Even though there has been evidence that autism is not linked to vaccines, many people still refuse to have their children vaccinated. While some children are being protected by others that are vaccinated, it is only weakening the immunity herd as vaccinations decline. Immunity herd is when a large portion of the community is immunized against contagious disease in which there is a less chance of an outbreak. For those who cannot get
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vaccinated or choose not to get vaccinated get some protection since the spread of a contagious disease is contained. This paper reviews how the anti-vaccine movement originated and why many people refuse to vaccinate even when presented with evidence and many benefits of why people should vaccinate. The anti-vaccine movement is an organized subculture in which people blame modern day vaccination with the large scale of health problems. This group of people believes that vaccines are not natural, and should not receive them. People of the anti-vaccine movement believe in natural immunity because they feel it would provide a better protection against diseases than vaccines. However, because of the decline in vaccinations, many of the diseases that were once considered eliminated or rare are coming back and could create an outbreak.
In 2014, the U.S.
had two of the worst measles outbreaks in history. The closest one to Oregon was in California, in which 147 people were diagnosed with the measles. The outbreak in California was very well publicized due to its relation with Disneyland and how it spreaded to 13 additional states. All 147 of these people had developed symptoms suggesting they had the measles shortly after visiting the so-called happiest place on earth. Many of the people that were infected with the virus were not vaccinated. The first person to have carried the measles was at the theme park somewhere between December 15th to the 20th (Rhodan,
2015). Even though the measles outbreak in California was the most known about, the first outbreak in the U.S was in Ohio’s Amish Country. In which 383 people were diagnosed with the virus. The measles were spread in the Amish Country shortly after some members had traveled to the Philippines for missionary work. All of the 383 people were not vaccinated and were quarantined. After surviving the measles, many were still dubious about getting immunized. While, this was one of the biggest outbreaks, it drew less attention because it was amongst religious communities and it stayed contained, while in California it was spreading. Many parents do not vaccinate due to the belief that autism is linked with vaccines. Anti-vaccine activist don’t recognize the threat their behavior poses to others (Salzberg, 2015). However, around the time children get the majority of their vaccine is when a doctor can properly diagnose a child with autism. Therefore, these people have strong beliefs that these vaccines will not only increase the risks of their child being at risk with autism but with other health issues as well. Anti-vaccine people believe that with the proper diet and healthy life style they can avoid all types of viruses and live a long and healthy life. While many people are confused about whether to vaccinate or not, most of them are just scared of the possible side effects. On the internet there are anti-vaccination websites that provide a lot of false and misleading information, along with very persuasive tactics to make people believe that vaccines are dangerous and toxic. These websites attract people who are interested in the choice and believe in homeopathic remedies as a vaccine alternative. As a result, an increasingly alarming number of parents are opting out of routine vaccinations for their children (Moran, 2016). Many other parents are seeking an alternative path that a doctor created knowing as alternative vaccination scheduling. Bob Sears is a pediatric physician, best known for his eccentric views on childhood vaccination. He is viewed as an anti-vaccine doctor who favors the use of alternative medicine. Sears states, “I see a lot of parents questioning the CDC vaccine schedule. They worry that it’s too overloaded. There’s too many shots at too young of an age, and parents simply are looking for a safer way to do it, something they’re more comfortable with.” (Boghani, 2015). In order to make parents feel a bit more secure about vaccines, he created an alternative vaccination scheduling where the vaccines are spreaded out or delayed. However, choosing this path for vaccines would still endanger the child by catching a disease in between the spread and is not an effective method. Due to a child immune system being weak due to young age. Vaccines truly allow them to be protected against harmful disease that their immune system cannot fight. While vaccines protect people from harmful disease, there was a doctor that created mayhem and published an inaccurate research paper which states that autism is linked with vaccines.
In 1998, a former doctor by the name of Andrew Jeremy Wakerfield, published a research paper claiming that the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) increased the chances of a child getting autism. Along with those claims, he also wrote about that receiving the three vaccines, together can modify a child’s immune system, causing the virus to affect the intestines and harm the neurons in the brain. After the research paper there was a great decline in parents vaccinating their children. These claims that were made started an investigation to see if these allegations were in fact true.
In 2010, Andrew Wakefield had his license to practice medicine revoked because there was no evidence that shows a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Even after being discredited and his license revoked, Wakefield still stands by his beliefs. Many anti-vaxxers praise him and see him as a person that speaks for them. Andrew Wakefield has become one of the most reviled doctors of his generation, blamed for irresponsibility starting a panic with tragic repercussions: vaccination rates so low that childhood diseases once all but eradicated here (Dominus, 2011). Though there has been plenty of evidence, studies and proof that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism, many parents still refuse to vaccinate. Trying to force an anti vaccine activist to change her thoughts on vaccines does more harm than good. “Telling people they are wrong will just make them dig their heels,” said Dr. Brendan Nyhan of Darmouth University (Fox 2015). By attacking someone’s beliefs, the get defensive to where they don't want to change their mind. In order to maybe get an anti-vaccine activist to change their beliefs is hearing what they have to say. Dr. Nyhan conducted a study in which he and a team of pediatricians and scientist made various of pro vaccination campaigns to see whether it can change the parental attitudes toward vaccines. They sent out to each household messages stating that MMR vaccine and autism had no evidence linking them together. Along those messages there were also photos and stories of children who suffered from the disease. The control group did not receive any information on the pro vaccine campaigns. When they retrieved the results to the study, it showed that none of the campaigns they sent out worked. Those who received the message over the evidence stating MMR vaccine and autism were not linked autism, did nothing to affect their intentions to vaccinate. However, other two campaigns of the photos and stories managed to get people to have an increased belief that vaccines cause autism. “It’s depressing. We were definitely depressed,” said Nyhan (Konnikova, 2014) after the results of the campaign came back with no change of attitude towards vaccines. Another reason why anti-vaccine activist do not vaccinate their children is because they are relying on herd immunity, in which the majority of people are immunized against the virus and reduces the risk of exposure. Sadly, with people who avoid getting vaccinated due to religion or personal beliefs the herd immunity rate decreases and can no longer protect those who are not vaccinated. “Herd immunity is the only way to protect those with compromised immune systems who can’t take the vaccine. That means pretty much everyone who can should get vaccinated,” said Stephen Eubank, who researches disease transmission at Virginia Tech. (McGinty, 2015). By having those who can vaccinate, many viruses can be eliminated. Though, it may seem like there is no way changing the mind of an anti-vaccine activist but when they do, it's usually when they get infected. From being an anti-vaccine activist to a pro vaccine activist, Tara Hills changed her beliefs as soon as all seven of her children came down with the whooping cough. Hills didn’t want to vaccinate because her beliefs towards vaccines were that she didn't trust anyone. She saw it as a government conspiracy, along with pharmaceuticals trying to make money off of vaccines. However, when the measles outbreak hit, Hills decided to look for evidence and catch her children up with their vaccinations. Even though she planned to vaccinate them, all of her children came down with the whooping cough. “Right now my family is living the consequences of misinformation and fear,” wrote Hills on her blog. (Bernstein, 2015). Since that experience she became a pro-vaccine activist. The anti-vaccination movement is still a strong and growing movement that has no intentions in changing their beliefs towards vaccines. Though many of their beliefs have been proved wrong and that vaccines are indeed safe, they still refuse to vaccinate. The anti-vaccine activist may not see it but they are not only risking themselves by contracting these viruses but as well as others who cannot vaccinate. There is no easy way to change the decision to an anti-vaccine activist until they realize themselves that vaccines will help protect their children and others.
vaccinated or choose not to get vaccinated get some protection since the spread of a contagious disease is contained. This paper reviews how the anti-vaccine movement originated and why many people refuse to vaccinate even when presented with evidence and many benefits of why people should vaccinate. The anti-vaccine movement is an organized subculture in which people blame modern day vaccination with the large scale of health problems. This group of people believes that vaccines are not natural, and should not receive them. People of the anti-vaccine movement believe in natural immunity because they feel it would provide a better protection against diseases than vaccines. However, because of the decline in vaccinations, many of the diseases that were once considered eliminated or rare are coming back and could create an outbreak.
In 2014, the U.S.
had two of the worst measles outbreaks in history. The closest one to Oregon was in California, in which 147 people were diagnosed with the measles. The outbreak in California was very well publicized due to its relation with Disneyland and how it spreaded to 13 additional states. All 147 of these people had developed symptoms suggesting they had the measles shortly after visiting the so-called happiest place on earth. Many of the people that were infected with the virus were not vaccinated. The first person to have carried the measles was at the theme park somewhere between December 15th to the 20th (Rhodan,
2015). Even though the measles outbreak in California was the most known about, the first outbreak in the U.S was in Ohio’s Amish Country. In which 383 people were diagnosed with the virus. The measles were spread in the Amish Country shortly after some members had traveled to the Philippines for missionary work. All of the 383 people were not vaccinated and were quarantined. After surviving the measles, many were still dubious about getting immunized. While, this was one of the biggest outbreaks, it drew less attention because it was amongst religious communities and it stayed contained, while in California it was spreading. Many parents do not vaccinate due to the belief that autism is linked with vaccines. Anti-vaccine activist don’t recognize the threat their behavior poses to others (Salzberg, 2015). However, around the time children get the majority of their vaccine is when a doctor can properly diagnose a child with autism. Therefore, these people have strong beliefs that these vaccines will not only increase the risks of their child being at risk with autism but with other health issues as well. Anti-vaccine people believe that with the proper diet and healthy life style they can avoid all types of viruses and live a long and healthy life. While many people are confused about whether to vaccinate or not, most of them are just scared of the possible side effects. On the internet there are anti-vaccination websites that provide a lot of false and misleading information, along with very persuasive tactics to make people believe that vaccines are dangerous and toxic. These websites attract people who are interested in the choice and believe in homeopathic remedies as a vaccine alternative. As a result, an increasingly alarming number of parents are opting out of routine vaccinations for their children (Moran, 2016). Many other parents are seeking an alternative path that a doctor created knowing as alternative vaccination scheduling. Bob Sears is a pediatric physician, best known for his eccentric views on childhood vaccination. He is viewed as an anti-vaccine doctor who favors the use of alternative medicine. Sears states, “I see a lot of parents questioning the CDC vaccine schedule. They worry that it’s too overloaded. There’s too many shots at too young of an age, and parents simply are looking for a safer way to do it, something they’re more comfortable with.” (Boghani, 2015). In order to make parents feel a bit more secure about vaccines, he created an alternative vaccination scheduling where the vaccines are spreaded out or delayed. However, choosing this path for vaccines would still endanger the child by catching a disease in between the spread and is not an effective method. Due to a child immune system being weak due to young age. Vaccines truly allow them to be protected against harmful disease that their immune system cannot fight. While vaccines protect people from harmful disease, there was a doctor that created mayhem and published an inaccurate research paper which states that autism is linked with vaccines.
In 1998, a former doctor by the name of Andrew Jeremy Wakerfield, published a research paper claiming that the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) increased the chances of a child getting autism. Along with those claims, he also wrote about that receiving the three vaccines, together can modify a child’s immune system, causing the virus to affect the intestines and harm the neurons in the brain. After the research paper there was a great decline in parents vaccinating their children. These claims that were made started an investigation to see if these allegations were in fact true.
In 2010, Andrew Wakefield had his license to practice medicine revoked because there was no evidence that shows a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Even after being discredited and his license revoked, Wakefield still stands by his beliefs. Many anti-vaxxers praise him and see him as a person that speaks for them. Andrew Wakefield has become one of the most reviled doctors of his generation, blamed for irresponsibility starting a panic with tragic repercussions: vaccination rates so low that childhood diseases once all but eradicated here (Dominus, 2011). Though there has been plenty of evidence, studies and proof that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism, many parents still refuse to vaccinate. Trying to force an anti vaccine activist to change her thoughts on vaccines does more harm than good. “Telling people they are wrong will just make them dig their heels,” said Dr. Brendan Nyhan of Darmouth University (Fox 2015). By attacking someone’s beliefs, the get defensive to where they don't want to change their mind. In order to maybe get an anti-vaccine activist to change their beliefs is hearing what they have to say. Dr. Nyhan conducted a study in which he and a team of pediatricians and scientist made various of pro vaccination campaigns to see whether it can change the parental attitudes toward vaccines. They sent out to each household messages stating that MMR vaccine and autism had no evidence linking them together. Along those messages there were also photos and stories of children who suffered from the disease. The control group did not receive any information on the pro vaccine campaigns. When they retrieved the results to the study, it showed that none of the campaigns they sent out worked. Those who received the message over the evidence stating MMR vaccine and autism were not linked autism, did nothing to affect their intentions to vaccinate. However, other two campaigns of the photos and stories managed to get people to have an increased belief that vaccines cause autism. “It’s depressing. We were definitely depressed,” said Nyhan (Konnikova, 2014) after the results of the campaign came back with no change of attitude towards vaccines. Another reason why anti-vaccine activist do not vaccinate their children is because they are relying on herd immunity, in which the majority of people are immunized against the virus and reduces the risk of exposure. Sadly, with people who avoid getting vaccinated due to religion or personal beliefs the herd immunity rate decreases and can no longer protect those who are not vaccinated. “Herd immunity is the only way to protect those with compromised immune systems who can’t take the vaccine. That means pretty much everyone who can should get vaccinated,” said Stephen Eubank, who researches disease transmission at Virginia Tech. (McGinty, 2015). By having those who can vaccinate, many viruses can be eliminated. Though, it may seem like there is no way changing the mind of an anti-vaccine activist but when they do, it's usually when they get infected. From being an anti-vaccine activist to a pro vaccine activist, Tara Hills changed her beliefs as soon as all seven of her children came down with the whooping cough. Hills didn’t want to vaccinate because her beliefs towards vaccines were that she didn't trust anyone. She saw it as a government conspiracy, along with pharmaceuticals trying to make money off of vaccines. However, when the measles outbreak hit, Hills decided to look for evidence and catch her children up with their vaccinations. Even though she planned to vaccinate them, all of her children came down with the whooping cough. “Right now my family is living the consequences of misinformation and fear,” wrote Hills on her blog. (Bernstein, 2015). Since that experience she became a pro-vaccine activist. The anti-vaccination movement is still a strong and growing movement that has no intentions in changing their beliefs towards vaccines. Though many of their beliefs have been proved wrong and that vaccines are indeed safe, they still refuse to vaccinate. The anti-vaccine activist may not see it but they are not only risking themselves by contracting these viruses but as well as others who cannot vaccinate. There is no easy way to change the decision to an anti-vaccine activist until they realize themselves that vaccines will help protect their children and others.