Vaccines and The Immune System

Autism is not an immune-mediated disease. There is no evidence of immune activation or inflammatory lesions in people with autism. No studies have compared the incidence of autism in vaccinated, unvaccinated, or alternatively vaccinated children. Twenty epidemiologic studies have shown that neither thimerosal or MMR vaccine causes autism. There have been studies in many countries by different people who have tried multiple statistical methods. A meta-analysis of ten studies involving more than 1.2 million children reaffirms that vaccines don’t cause autism. Immunization was associated with decreased risk that children would develop autism, a possibility that’s strongest with the measles-mumps-rubella

My cousin recently became a mother, and has expressed with me her concerns to vaccinate her child. Her main concern is that vaccines have been linked to autism and other health problems. There are multiple articles circulating the internet alerting parents of possible side effects of vaccinations; some even claiming to have scientific proof to support their claims.

Many parents are skeptical about getting their children vaccinated because of the fear that it may cause autism. The question of whether vaccines cause autism is still a controversial subject among many citizens today especially parents. Some citizens argue that vaccines are not safe and could potentially cause autism. Parents believe that vaccine caused their child to develop autism because autism symptoms become apparent around the same time that children were getting their routine vaccinations (WebMD). Many people believe that vaccines are completely safe and do not cause autism in fact some citizens argue that all children should be vaccinated to prevent sickness and serious diseases in fact there have been many studies conducted to prove that vaccines do not cause autism. Despite controversial claims, there is no scientific evidence that links vaccines to autism.

Every child born in America is unique: whether it be because of skin color, hair color, birth weight, complications while still in the womb, or difficulties at birth. Yet when it comes to vaccinations they are all treated equal and are expected to follow the government recommended vaccination schedule. Once these vaccinations have been given, they cannot be removed from a child’s body. The harm they may have caused a child, cannot be reversed. Parents need to be aware of what is in these vaccines and the possible harmful effects they can have on their child. While the official cause of autism has not been clearly determined, parents of young children and expecting parents need to be aware that research shows a definite link between

For recurrent generations, there encompasses numerous controversies surrounding vaccinations for children in addition to the unfavorable reactions that may arise. The chief concerns are whether vaccinating causes serious developmental delays such as autism in children. The aim of this composition is to enlighten others that vaccinating children does not bring about autism. By means of scientific exploration along with advanced medical diagnosis in children, researchers currently recognize that the increase in autism claims are not vaccine linked.

But the most serious risks, such as severe allergic reactions, are rarer than the diseases vaccines protect against. Other people argue that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, in particular, might cause autism. The authors refute these ideas by saying that studies have shown that there is no link between the two. Their conclusion is “To counteract the fears and misperceptions associated with vaccine campaigns, the research community and governmental agencies need to be proactive with regard to continued vaccine education, guiding public perception with rigorous scientific research on vaccine safety and emphasizing the importance of vaccination in preventing unwanted and potentially lethal infectious

"Despite overwhelming propaganda in the mainstream media that vaccines do not cause autism, one poll found that one out of every four parents now believe that vaccines cause autism" (Vaccines Cause Autism). Parents who listen to the media rather than the doctors don't want to accept the fact that there is no connection between autism and getting vaccinated. As one doctor explains in viewpoint, "There is more likely a coincidental link between immunization schedules and diagnoses of autism because the disease tends to arise when children are young, around the same ages that they are receiving vaccinations" (Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism). Children get vaccinated against 14 diseases by the age of two, along with annual flu vaccinations. Even though many doctors have mounting evidence proving the safety and value of vaccination, many parents are still passionately opposed to them. "Many people believe that the increased number of vaccines children now get twice as many as they did in 1980 and can receive up to 20 injections by their first birthday are to blame for the rise in kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)" (Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism). It's completely coincidental that autism comes out around the same time that many of the vaccines are given to the children. Parents blame the vaccines because they don't want to accept that their child developed

In the world today, there are many diseases and other illnesses that there are vaccinations for. Some having minor side effects, but others preventing of any other serious diseases from happening, or even death. There has been a debate about whether or not parents should vaccinate their children. Those parents that do not think this is a good idea, mostly believe that these vaccinations can cause autism in their children from being so young and being vaccinated. Other parents are for it, so that their child can be healthy, stay away from any other diseases, and are helping those children who can’t be vaccinated. Those children who can’t be vaccinated are usually those that are too young, or are too ill, such as those with leukemia for example. If a child who has the option of getting vaccinated but doesn’t, it can severely harm that child who is too ill. All children, if they are able to, should, and need, to be vaccinated to keep these diseases from spreading any further.

Vaccines have always been a controversial topic, to whether they are required all the way down to what they are composed of. It has been an ongoing battle since the 1970s and continues to make headlines even in this year of 2015 with the measles outbreak from Disneyland. Even now, many still believe that vaccinations can cause autism and choose not to vaccinate their children for that reason or another. Vaccinations are critical and need to be required for children before entering public schools.

One popular argument opposing vaccines states that according to the CDC, “all vaccines carry a risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in about one per million children” (CDC). Senate Bill 277 has not eliminated medical exemptions, therefore, children who might develop an allergic reaction will be prohibited from being vaccinated. This allergic reaction caused by vaccines is also rare and its rewards are well worth the risk. Studies conducted in the US and Europe have found no association between the MMR vaccine and autism (American Academy of Pediatrics). Many parents have been concerned about vaccinations because they believe it’s a probable cause for autism but no study has proven a connection between the two. Vaccines are thoroughly examined by scientists, doctors, and health experts before being released to ensure the safety of the public. Through many active experiments, vaccinations have proven to be quite

“From the time they are born, babies face numerous immunizations- up to 28 shots by age 2.” (NCSL 2015) A great deal of research has gone into testing the safety of these vaccines and their effects both immediate and long-term. With predominant research showing that parents should vaccinate their children; however, many disagree with this research. In recent years there has been a large push by parents to opt out of vaccinating their children. This has, in part, been caused by the idea that vaccines could cause autism and other similar developmental disabilities.

There are few issues that divide parents and families with such intensity as government-mandated vaccinations. The fact is, vaccinations have been performed for many years and are known to keep us safe from sickness and diseases that can cause serious illness or even death. Vaccination is designed to strengthen the body’s immune system and protect it from infections. They work by putting a small amount of a disease germ into the body using a needle or inhaler. Having this small amount of germ in your body makes your immune system build antibodies to fight off the disease if you were to be exposed. Vaccines are the safe way to build antibodies without having to tolerate the disease itself and the potential of becoming disabled or even dying. Antibodies can remain in the body throughout our lives and will recall how to fight off the sickness so that if the real germ enters your body at a later date, your immune system will defend it. Most vaccines prevent only one disease, yet others are combined to protect from multiple diseases such as the MMR vaccine which defends against Rubella, Mumps and Measles all in one shot.

Many parents are choosing to forgo vaccinating their young children as of late due to the speculation that vaccines cause life-altering conditions such as Autism, or even something as serious as SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. Although this debate has been on going for quite some time now; many of what these parents do not understand is that correlation does not cause causation. A child may have Autism and had been vaccinated and naturally that parent wants to blame something on the reason their child has this disorder so of course they would want to blame the vaccines for this. However, what they do not understand and take into consideration are all the benefits and life saving properties that vaccines have for children and their future. While the only way to create true life-long immunity to a disease is through natural exposure; Children should be vaccinated because not only does it keep the child safe and healthy, but the entire family as well, vaccines are safe and very effective, and Vaccines prevent life threading diseases and viruses.

Ever wonder what most Americans fear in today’s society? People mostly fear viruses because viruses cause most of your infectious diseases, for instance, smallpox, HIV, Ebola, and Influenza. So that’s why we use vaccines. All of your vaccines are used as an agent that will build up our immune systems to fight off something that is causing us to become ill. Vaccines improve economic growth, life expectancy, protect people from spreading or acquiring the disease, and vaccines can save a ton of lives.

However, vaccinations could take another side. Fear has crept into the minds of parents. The fear of something going wrong; the fear of it not working; and the fear of autism. Autism has crossed the minds of many in different states. The reason is of a study done by one scientist. All it took was one study to send the world into panic. Andrew Wakefield, a British scientist, shocked the world with the lab results he recorded. He found that vaccines can spread autism by mutating DNA (“Vaccine Debate”, 1). Of course, this study is going to send terrible thoughts into the minds of parents getting their child vaccinated. Only one scientist completed this study and it was published all over the books, magazines, and internet. Years later, other scientists did not believe this was an accurate study due to it being only a “one man’s” study.