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“Even if vaccines were linked to autism, what does it say that parents would rather have a dead child than an autistic one?”
“Even if vaccines were linked to autism, what does it say that parents would rather have a dead child than an autistic one?”
What is a vaccine?
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is "a product that produces immunity from a disease" (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). This immunity is gained through a vaccination, or a shot of weakened and/or killed organisms into the body that pose a minuscule threat to the immune system. The human body then mounts an attack against these weakened organisms and, in doing so, creates cells known as memory T-cells. If the same disease-causing organisms are encountered in the future, the body will recognize the organisms, thanks to the memory T-cells, and quickly launch an attack.
What are the benefits of vaccination?
What are the benefits of vaccination?
Millions of people have been saved from diseases that once claimed thousands of lives per year. In fact, vaccinations have led to the eradication and near extinction of many such diseases. Vaccines provide children with immunity against many life-threatening diseases, and even decrease the risk of some cancers.
Herd Immunity
Herd Immunity
Vaccines not only protect those directly receiving the medication but those surrounding that individual as well. This is known as herd immunity; the more vaccinated individuals there are in a region, the harder it is for diseases to spread and afflict those that are not immunized. A threshold, or "minimum percentage of immune individuals needed to prevent an outbreak," is set for each individual disease (Helft, L and Willingham, E). The higher the threshold, the greater the number of people that must be immunized in a region to prevent an outbreak. If the percentage falls below threshold, the increased exposure to the disease may overwhelm the immune system of even vaccinated individuals and lead to large-scale outbreaks.
Herd immunity threshold for Measles= 95%
What vaccines are mandatory?
What vaccines are mandatory?
Michigan:
Michigan:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
France:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
France (2018):
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis C
What are common concerns regarding vaccinations?
What are common concerns regarding vaccinations?
Concern:
Vaccines cause autism
Response: Many parents are concerned about a questioned link between the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. This notion was first proposed by Andrew Wakefield in a study published by The Lancet in 1998; however, Wakefield's study has since been pulled from publication due to fraudulent and embellished data. In addition, multiple studies conducted since have shown no significant evidence of a relationship between autism and the MMR vaccine.
Concern:
Vaccine ingredients are dangerous
Response: Parents frequently cite thimerosal as one ingredient that is cause for concern. Thimerosal is a preservative that contains mercury in the form of ethylmercury - a form that is rapidly broken down by the body and removed, so accumulation and bodily harm do not occur. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found no relation between thimerosal-containing vaccines and incidence of autism (Price et al., 2010). These findings have been replicated multiple times and scientists can confidently state there is no evidence whatsoever to support a link between the ingredient and disorder. Due to the continued parental concerns, thimerosal has not been included in most vaccines since 2001.
Concern:
Too many vaccines given at one time
may overwhelm a baby's immune system
Response: American children are now protected against 14 different diseases through vaccinations. Children may receive up to five shots per doctor's visit, as certain vaccines should be given when young and may require more than one dose for full immunization. Although this may seem like a lot, children nowadays receive only a fraction of the amount of antigens given 30 years ago due to scientific advances, which allow for even safer vaccines. Additionally, the amount of vaccine components pose a minuscule threat to a child's immune system in comparison to the trillions of bacteria that live throughout their bodies, as well as all the bacteria and viruses encountered in everyday life.
Probability of having an adverse reaction to MMR vaccine = 0.0001%
Probability of having an adverse reaction to MMR vaccine = 0.0001%
*To calculate likelihood of dying from the following circumstances, divide 1 by number in "Lifetime odds" column and multiply by 100
Ex: Likelihood of dying from "unintentional poisoning" = 1/96 * 100 = 1%
What are measles?
What are measles?
Measles is a virus that spreads through the air. The first symptoms of measles appear within 7 to 14 days after exposure and include fever, dry cough, runny nose, and sore throat. These symptoms often precede the tell-tale measles rash by a few days. Complications from measles can range from diarrhea and vomiting to hepatitis, blindness, meningitis, and even death. A person infected with measles is contagious for four days before the rash develops, and remains contagious until four days after the rash has been present. The R naught of measles is 15, which means every person with measles will spread it to 15 others, on average.
MMR Vaccine
MMR Vaccine
Thankfully, Maurice Hilleman developed a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1971. For decades following the creation of the MMR vaccine, parents and children waited in long lines to obtain it and prevent these potentially fatal ailments. The incidence of measles in the U.S. dropped from as many as 4 million annual cases, to nearly 0, and measles was essentially eradicated.
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