Arguments Against Vaccines

Every fall season we hear the question; did you get your flu shot yet? It is supposed to protect you from that nasty flu virus that circulates our communities during the fall and winter months. But, did you know that in 2011 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Adverse Event Reporting Systems Website (AERS) reported 51 deaths caused by the flu vaccine in the United States (U.S.) (CDC,2012). According to National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), as of July 2012 there have been more than 84,000 reports of adverse reactions, 1000 vaccine related deaths and over 1600 cases of Guillain- Barre syndrome, a acute form of paralysis, triggered by the vaccine (NVIC.ORG).

Vaccines have been used to prevent diseases for centuries, and have saved countless lives of children and adults. The smallpox vaccine was invented as early as 1796, and since then the use of vaccines has continued to protect us from countless life threatening diseases such as polio, measles, and pertussis. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2010) assures that vaccines are extensively tested by scientist to make sure they are effective and safe, and must receive the approval of the Food and Drug Administration before being used. “Perhaps the greatest success story in public health is the reduction of infectious diseases due to the use of vaccines” (CDC, 2010). Routine immunization has eliminated smallpox from the globe and

“As healthy as my lifestyle seemed, I contracted measles, mumps, rubella, a type of viral meningitis, scarlatina, whooping cough, yearly tonsillitis, and chickenpox, some of which are vaccine preventable” (Parker 1). This quote by vaccine advocate Amy Parker, a woman who was not vaccinated as a child, shows just a glimpse into the life of an unvaccinated individual. Parents who do not vaccinate their children claim many different reasons for their decision. Three of the most popular reasons are: religious grounds, health problems as a result from vaccines, and the belief that the illnesses are rare. Each of these reasons can be proven as nonessential in the anti-vaccine argument.

Every year, more than ten million vaccinations are given to children under the age one. Ten million vaccinations just in babies, can you imagine the global number for all ages? Since the end of the 1700 century, vaccinations have built an immunity to many infectious diseases, saving millions of lives; however with new controversy data shows that these vaccines could be causing more harm than good. With the eradication of smallpox, vaccination numbers have skyrocketed and the effectiveness and safety have been questioned. To begin with readers will gain basic knowledge on what a vaccine really is and how it works.

Vaccines are said to be one of the greatest health developments of the 20th century, saving many lives. That's why the CDC (centers for disease controls) recommends

Vaccines. Should they elicit a sense of safety, or fear? Vaccinations used to be supported by a majority of the population and served as the main fighting agent against illnesses. However, within the past few years, this ideology has begun to change as more individuals have begun to voice their concerns about vaccinations. As opposed to recognizing the harmful diseases vaccinations counter, people are stringing together possible harmful effects of vaccinations. Specifically, they believe different components of vaccinations have the potential to cause disabilities such as autism. These “anti-vaxxers” continue to spread this rhetoric, gaining momentum for their cause by using fear tactics, paranoia, and refusing to acknowledge the scientific

Vaccinations are what doctors and scientists count on to protect lives. So should children keep receiving vaccinations? Vaccines are formed by chemicals designed to create “immunity” for the human body. Doctors use vaccines, because they are known to help protect people from infections. Research done by scientists states that vaccines are safe and effective, but the quality of the actual product may not be what people expect them to be. Therefore, people should have a choice whether to have their children vaccinated or not.

Children are routinely vaccinated to prevent them from catching illnesses that could be fatal or life-changingly damaging. Diseases such as smallpox have been eradicated, and polio has been largely eliminated. It can still be found in remote areas of Africa and South East Asia.

Immunizations were created to keep children and adults healthy and safe. Edward Jenner administered the world’s first vaccination known as the smallpox vaccine, which had killed millions of people over the centuries (). Jenner administered the vaccine on an eight year old boy who he exposed to the fluid of a cowpox blisters, the boy developed a blister which eventually went away. Jenner then exposed the boy to the smallpox disease and the boy did not get sick, this led to the smallpox vaccine and the drastic decline in the smallpox disease. Fast-forward three centuries later and the small pox diseases is eradicated do to people receiving the vaccine. Immunizations are extremely important to the world’s overall health. Babies and children are most vulnerable to disease because they are son young and their organs and bodies are growing at a rapid rate. It is important for children to be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases such as: rubella, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), and a host of other diseases. High vaccination coverage has significantly reduced vaccine-preventable disease morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially among children (Baggs et. al., 2011). While some people focus on the cons of vaccinations, there are many pros to children receiving vaccinations.

In 1998, Dr. Andrew Wakefield published a paper that linked the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and the appearance of autism. This paper ignited widespread panic of the so-called dangerous side effects of common vaccines. In 2004, after an investigation, it was found that his paper was fraudulent and Wakefield was found guilty of misconduct and was subsequently removed from the UK medical register. Unfortunately, in 2017, many people still believe that vaccines cause dangerous side effects and refuse to vaccinate themselves and their children. Certain celebrities have pushed this false narrative and caused the anti-vaccine movement to spread even further. Despite a multitude of evidence people have taken this wonderful science for granted

I am very pro-vaccination. This year, more than ever we are seeing blowback from parents who think that it is their "right" to keep their children unvaccinated. I have heard arguments including research studies linking autism to vaccination that was flawed and disproved years ago. Repeatedly. I have heard mothers say that they don't have to have their children vaccinated, just being around my vaccinated children will help theirs. I've heard herd immunity thrown around, and realized that people have no idea what it means, or how it applies to our real world situation. / / I grew up with a single mother who made sure my brother and I were vaccinated no matter what. I grew up understanding that this is the way we wipe out terrible, disfiguring,

Vaccinations and the policies surrounding them have come more and more into the center of public controversy in recent years. Those who would like to implement nationwide, mandatory vaccinations are acting in what they believe is the best interest of public health. However, this plan of action flies directly in the face of our national values and the modern stance of medicine. The United States of America is a country of many freedoms, one of those is the freedom of self-determination. With this freedom comes the individual right and responsibility to question, research, and decide if vaccinations are prudent for each themselves and their children. Some may decide that vaccinations are the correct choice while others may reject them. Nonetheless,

Through the rise of technological advances in the field of medicine, the vaccine has significantly changed the world for a brighter future of the human race. Making a great accomplishment and eliminating many of the life-threatening diseases experienced before in this country, from smallpox to diphtheria, thus adding approximately thirty years to many humans’ life spans (“Vaccine War”). Vaccines have also played a substantial role in greatly reducing death and hospitalization rates (Bailey). Although, a new controversy has begun to rise by leading activist of the anti-vaccine movement, Jenny McCarthy, who has extreme found beliefs that inoculations have a link to autism. McCarthy, a mother of a son, who received vaccinations believes that

disease to occur with numerous antigens entering the body at once and that their child will not be able to properly metabolize and excrete the mercury from their body.

In the late 1700’s, the first vaccination was created which helped pave the way for modern medicine. This medical triumph has saved millions of lives. Because it has helped prevent individuals from contracting specific diseases, doctors from around the world recommend and encourage immunization (BE2). It would seem as though this practice would be seen in a positive light by everyone, but that is not the case. As time continues on and more resources surface, the idea of immunization is becoming controversial. The fear of negative side-effects has consumed some individuals’ minds causing them to refuse vaccination. As the number of people who do not vaccinate progresses, the chances of infectious diseases in populations increases. And if the statistic continues to grow larger, the effectiveness of a vaccine decreases (BE5). It is essential for the mass