The Pros And Cons Of Childhood Vaccinations
Discussion # 2 – Childhood Vaccinations
It is important to note that at the beginning of this assignment, my views towards vaccinations were very set. I come from a family of physicians and dentists and I myself was transitioning from a career in finance towards become a physician until last year (my brain surgery). However, in life you pick yourself up, dust things off (the ones that can be dusted off) and adjust. Therefore, even though I am no longer pursuing a career as a physician, I am preparing to become a nurse. I mention this to elaborate on the context of my views: vaccines are an absolute must for multiple reasons. After doing research, I am more aware of different arguments toward not wanting vaccines but as in everything in life, there are benefits and drawbacks that must be considered and the way I see it, the benefits of vaccines …show more content…
undoubtedly outweigh the risks.
The benefit of protection against very serious diseases offsets the risks involved for the vast majority of vaccines.
In medicine, medications can sometimes be toxic, but if the benefit they provide exceeds the negative effect, then it is absolutely worth it: case in point, chemotherapy. Chemotherapy helps patients battle cancer, but make no mistake, it does so by killing cells and it is indeed, poisoning unhealthy and healthy tissue alike, hence such negative side effects. Similarly, vaccines pose certain risks: everything that punctures the skin has the risks of pain, infection, inflammation of the site, fever etc., injecting a trace of a microorganism into your body may and will have a negative effect. However, these risks are very small. To me, realizing the risks of certain preventable diseases makes getting the vaccine a very easy decision. Apparently, this perspective works in convincing parents that the real issue is considering the risks, instead of focusing on the odds of contracting the disease. This particular argument is helpful to convince parents who believe they know better, to accept the
vaccine.
Not only are childhood vaccines a high benefit to risk ratio but vaccinations are definitely a life-long approach. Until now, the focus has been on small children but it is important to get vaccines tailored for adolescents (new risks given transitional life changes, incomplete routine childhood vaccines, need of booster shots) and for adults (for example shingles).
We all have the responsibility as a society to protect our weak, so the “herd” protection must be a priority. One reason why preventable illnesses have decreased so vastly is thanks to vaccines. A high rate of vaccines allows for herd protection, which is basically when so many people in a community are vaccinated that it breaks the chain of contagion in the community, allowing for those who cannot be vaccinated (newborn and those with compromised immune systems to be protected without the vaccine). I believe strongly in the high sense of community this approach is based on. If we are healthy enough to be able to “do the work” we must do so. Conversely, if we all decide to be selfish and let others carry the burden of exposing themselves to the supposed risks the vaccines pose, we obviously fail our community and start dropping in vaccine rates. This in my opinion is selfish and very much a reflection of poor sense of community.
For example, there are high vaccination requirements for school entry for school children from vaccine-preventable diseases. Although vaccination coverage amongst kindergarteners in the majority of the 49 reporting states (in a particular study for the 2013-2014 year) was at or above 95% national Healthy People 2020 targets for 4 doses od DTaP, 2 doses of MMR and 2 doses of varicella vaccine, low vaccination coverage and high exemtion levels can cluster within communities. Surprisingly, red, poverty characterized states have the highest vaccine rates (Mississippi at 99.9%) for MMR and DTaP yet blue, more affluent states (Colorado) have communities that boast a vaccine rates in the 80s. The aforementioned cluster communities are the typical “I know better” and commonly found in blue/well educated communities that, with their children’s interest at heart are truly risking the health of their children and others’ by ignoring the actual risks the illnesses vaccine against carry. Unfortunately, even though health efforts and programs try to convince parents, they sometimes simply will not budge.
One concern is that many parents choose to not follow the guidelines for vaccine schedules and rather prefers to spread them out. Pediatricians report trying to argue their position and convince patients but ultimately, the different strategies tend to not work .
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the herd mentality is utopic to say the least, although still something we should strive to achieve. The reason why I say this is that in today’s global economy, with continents as far away as a 5-hour long flight, we must absolutely make sure we achieve higher that recommended vaccination rates to offset increased risks of exposure. For example, in December of 2012, an unvaccinated family and possibly and an international traveler caused an outbreak in central Florida. So our responsibility is now not only to protect our community but realize our communities are now the entire global population and reassess the real risks.
DECIPHERING ANTI-VACCINES
The issue, understandably, is a matter of what you think is better. In the case of many “anti-vacciners”, they believe that they know better than the medical community and its research, and that they are protecting the children against overused vaccines full of toxins, which cause autism, mental disorders, allergies etc.
One article I read (“Who’s Afraid of a Little Vaccine”) hit the nail on the head in terms of hypothesizing why left-leaning, well off communities tend to have such low vaccine rates: the master of the universe phenomenon where in the wealthier you are, and the higher your education level, the more you lose sight of the randomness of misfortune and come to believe you can control variables and eliminate risk. I found this attitude spot on and frankly, it reminded me of the attitude of teenagers who rationalize risky behavior and tend to be blinded to the real consequences.
A common argument that anti-vaccines hold on to is the fact that immunizations do not protect 100% against illnesses and they insist that it is not “worth it”. However, in a study examining Bordatella Pertussis (whooping cough) and its high rate of infection breakthrough, it was noted that subjects who were up-to-date in their DTaP and Tdap (acellular pertussis vaccines) stopped coughing significantly more rapidly than unvaccinated patients and ever-vaccinated were less likely to be hospitalized or develop severe illnesses. In short, patients with pertussis vaccines had decreased morbidity characterized by less severe illness and significantly reduced illness duration. This by itself should be sufficient evidence to dismantle the argument that since breakthrough does occur with vaccines, they should not even be administered.
Another argument by people against vaccines is that “nature has worked for millions of years, considering childhood diseased a part of the natural way to reinforce the body and to acquire a natural strong immunity instead of a threat”. However, this argument is blind to say the least. First, the size of the population and therefore the density of population has never been higher, increasing the possibility of infection. Second, yes, natural immunity will build a stronger immune system, if you are lucky enough to survive or not be too affected by the illness. Three, it assumes your child is not the one who is going to get VERY sick. I am 100% against this argument.
One of the main concerns of anti-vaccines is the TCV (mercury-based, thimerosal-containing Vaccines) and its effect in neurodevelopment, learning, and social behavior. One five-year comprehensive study published this year, showed there was no consistent evidence of neurodevelopmental deficits or aberrant behavior in vaccinated macaques. Granted, they were studying primates, but considering how insanely similar our DNAs are, we should at least be open to considering this as very encouraging evidence supporting the safety of vaccines.
As noted by very interesting research exploring the differences in public perceptions of Benefit and risks of childhood vaccinations, the controversy surrounding vaccines is not derived “from disagreements on, or the disproportionate distribution of, vaccine relate scientific knowledge and information within the general public but from disparities in perceptions of vaccine benefits and risks rooted in individuals’ values and beliefs (notably in the form of cultural orientations).” It goes on to describe that people with a strong hierarch orientation tend to view higher benefits and less risks, strong fatalists tend to focus on risks and strong egalitarians are in the middle, perceiving greater benefits and smaller risks. I found this point-of-view very interesting as it supports why, no matter how much evidence supporting vaccines a healthcare provider/educator or public policy campaign may use to convince someone to accept vaccines, if that person is a fatalist, there is close to no chance they will accept.
CONCLUSION
In medicine, prevention is one branch and curative medicine is the other, and I find it absolutely inexcusable to knowingly turn away from prevention (as is the case with unhealthy habits) and focus more on a cure as this approach focuses on the short term and is blind to the real risks in the long term. Vaccines are created to prevent serious diseases and therefore, very high on the benefits to risk ratio. Understanding most parents want the best for their children, it is very difficult to me (I suppose with a very strong hierarchical structure orientation) to accept the high risks these parents are willing to expose their children, especially considering these are all as easy to prevent.
I want to conclude that I started this assignment being very pro-vaccines realizing the benefit of immunity and avoiding the very serious effects or morbidity certain preventable illnesses have, after doing further research my point of view only strengthened, not just because of the amount of evidence supporting my previous beliefs, but more importantly due to the lack of evidence that can sustain the opposite. He risks the preventable illnesses pose far outnumber the risks of vaccines; therefore, I remain (and dare I say…enhanced) pro-vaccine.
It is important to note that at the beginning of this assignment, my views towards vaccinations were very set. I come from a family of physicians and dentists and I myself was transitioning from a career in finance towards become a physician until last year (my brain surgery). However, in life you pick yourself up, dust things off (the ones that can be dusted off) and adjust. Therefore, even though I am no longer pursuing a career as a physician, I am preparing to become a nurse. I mention this to elaborate on the context of my views: vaccines are an absolute must for multiple reasons. After doing research, I am more aware of different arguments toward not wanting vaccines but as in everything in life, there are benefits and drawbacks that must be considered and the way I see it, the benefits of vaccines …show more content…
undoubtedly outweigh the risks.
The benefit of protection against very serious diseases offsets the risks involved for the vast majority of vaccines.
In medicine, medications can sometimes be toxic, but if the benefit they provide exceeds the negative effect, then it is absolutely worth it: case in point, chemotherapy. Chemotherapy helps patients battle cancer, but make no mistake, it does so by killing cells and it is indeed, poisoning unhealthy and healthy tissue alike, hence such negative side effects. Similarly, vaccines pose certain risks: everything that punctures the skin has the risks of pain, infection, inflammation of the site, fever etc., injecting a trace of a microorganism into your body may and will have a negative effect. However, these risks are very small. To me, realizing the risks of certain preventable diseases makes getting the vaccine a very easy decision. Apparently, this perspective works in convincing parents that the real issue is considering the risks, instead of focusing on the odds of contracting the disease. This particular argument is helpful to convince parents who believe they know better, to accept the
vaccine.
Not only are childhood vaccines a high benefit to risk ratio but vaccinations are definitely a life-long approach. Until now, the focus has been on small children but it is important to get vaccines tailored for adolescents (new risks given transitional life changes, incomplete routine childhood vaccines, need of booster shots) and for adults (for example shingles).
We all have the responsibility as a society to protect our weak, so the “herd” protection must be a priority. One reason why preventable illnesses have decreased so vastly is thanks to vaccines. A high rate of vaccines allows for herd protection, which is basically when so many people in a community are vaccinated that it breaks the chain of contagion in the community, allowing for those who cannot be vaccinated (newborn and those with compromised immune systems to be protected without the vaccine). I believe strongly in the high sense of community this approach is based on. If we are healthy enough to be able to “do the work” we must do so. Conversely, if we all decide to be selfish and let others carry the burden of exposing themselves to the supposed risks the vaccines pose, we obviously fail our community and start dropping in vaccine rates. This in my opinion is selfish and very much a reflection of poor sense of community.
For example, there are high vaccination requirements for school entry for school children from vaccine-preventable diseases. Although vaccination coverage amongst kindergarteners in the majority of the 49 reporting states (in a particular study for the 2013-2014 year) was at or above 95% national Healthy People 2020 targets for 4 doses od DTaP, 2 doses of MMR and 2 doses of varicella vaccine, low vaccination coverage and high exemtion levels can cluster within communities. Surprisingly, red, poverty characterized states have the highest vaccine rates (Mississippi at 99.9%) for MMR and DTaP yet blue, more affluent states (Colorado) have communities that boast a vaccine rates in the 80s. The aforementioned cluster communities are the typical “I know better” and commonly found in blue/well educated communities that, with their children’s interest at heart are truly risking the health of their children and others’ by ignoring the actual risks the illnesses vaccine against carry. Unfortunately, even though health efforts and programs try to convince parents, they sometimes simply will not budge.
One concern is that many parents choose to not follow the guidelines for vaccine schedules and rather prefers to spread them out. Pediatricians report trying to argue their position and convince patients but ultimately, the different strategies tend to not work .
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the herd mentality is utopic to say the least, although still something we should strive to achieve. The reason why I say this is that in today’s global economy, with continents as far away as a 5-hour long flight, we must absolutely make sure we achieve higher that recommended vaccination rates to offset increased risks of exposure. For example, in December of 2012, an unvaccinated family and possibly and an international traveler caused an outbreak in central Florida. So our responsibility is now not only to protect our community but realize our communities are now the entire global population and reassess the real risks.
DECIPHERING ANTI-VACCINES
The issue, understandably, is a matter of what you think is better. In the case of many “anti-vacciners”, they believe that they know better than the medical community and its research, and that they are protecting the children against overused vaccines full of toxins, which cause autism, mental disorders, allergies etc.
One article I read (“Who’s Afraid of a Little Vaccine”) hit the nail on the head in terms of hypothesizing why left-leaning, well off communities tend to have such low vaccine rates: the master of the universe phenomenon where in the wealthier you are, and the higher your education level, the more you lose sight of the randomness of misfortune and come to believe you can control variables and eliminate risk. I found this attitude spot on and frankly, it reminded me of the attitude of teenagers who rationalize risky behavior and tend to be blinded to the real consequences.
A common argument that anti-vaccines hold on to is the fact that immunizations do not protect 100% against illnesses and they insist that it is not “worth it”. However, in a study examining Bordatella Pertussis (whooping cough) and its high rate of infection breakthrough, it was noted that subjects who were up-to-date in their DTaP and Tdap (acellular pertussis vaccines) stopped coughing significantly more rapidly than unvaccinated patients and ever-vaccinated were less likely to be hospitalized or develop severe illnesses. In short, patients with pertussis vaccines had decreased morbidity characterized by less severe illness and significantly reduced illness duration. This by itself should be sufficient evidence to dismantle the argument that since breakthrough does occur with vaccines, they should not even be administered.
Another argument by people against vaccines is that “nature has worked for millions of years, considering childhood diseased a part of the natural way to reinforce the body and to acquire a natural strong immunity instead of a threat”. However, this argument is blind to say the least. First, the size of the population and therefore the density of population has never been higher, increasing the possibility of infection. Second, yes, natural immunity will build a stronger immune system, if you are lucky enough to survive or not be too affected by the illness. Three, it assumes your child is not the one who is going to get VERY sick. I am 100% against this argument.
One of the main concerns of anti-vaccines is the TCV (mercury-based, thimerosal-containing Vaccines) and its effect in neurodevelopment, learning, and social behavior. One five-year comprehensive study published this year, showed there was no consistent evidence of neurodevelopmental deficits or aberrant behavior in vaccinated macaques. Granted, they were studying primates, but considering how insanely similar our DNAs are, we should at least be open to considering this as very encouraging evidence supporting the safety of vaccines.
As noted by very interesting research exploring the differences in public perceptions of Benefit and risks of childhood vaccinations, the controversy surrounding vaccines is not derived “from disagreements on, or the disproportionate distribution of, vaccine relate scientific knowledge and information within the general public but from disparities in perceptions of vaccine benefits and risks rooted in individuals’ values and beliefs (notably in the form of cultural orientations).” It goes on to describe that people with a strong hierarch orientation tend to view higher benefits and less risks, strong fatalists tend to focus on risks and strong egalitarians are in the middle, perceiving greater benefits and smaller risks. I found this point-of-view very interesting as it supports why, no matter how much evidence supporting vaccines a healthcare provider/educator or public policy campaign may use to convince someone to accept vaccines, if that person is a fatalist, there is close to no chance they will accept.
CONCLUSION
In medicine, prevention is one branch and curative medicine is the other, and I find it absolutely inexcusable to knowingly turn away from prevention (as is the case with unhealthy habits) and focus more on a cure as this approach focuses on the short term and is blind to the real risks in the long term. Vaccines are created to prevent serious diseases and therefore, very high on the benefits to risk ratio. Understanding most parents want the best for their children, it is very difficult to me (I suppose with a very strong hierarchical structure orientation) to accept the high risks these parents are willing to expose their children, especially considering these are all as easy to prevent.
I want to conclude that I started this assignment being very pro-vaccines realizing the benefit of immunity and avoiding the very serious effects or morbidity certain preventable illnesses have, after doing further research my point of view only strengthened, not just because of the amount of evidence supporting my previous beliefs, but more importantly due to the lack of evidence that can sustain the opposite. He risks the preventable illnesses pose far outnumber the risks of vaccines; therefore, I remain (and dare I say…enhanced) pro-vaccine.