Mumps, Measles, and Rubella—these are just three of the
diseases that parents stopped worrying about years ago. Or have they? The
controversy over vaccinations is a growing issue not only in the United States,
but throughout the world. A quick Google search will yield a plethora of arguments
from both sides, most of which are highly emotional. Many anti-vaccine
supporters tell stories of children suffering conditions they believe are linked
to vaccines. But if you keep reading,
the most compelling stories come from mothers of un-vaccinated children—mothers
who are begging you to vaccinate your child.
Stacey
Hillenburg is a mother of three living in Illinois. She vaccinated her two
older children following the schedule recommended by her pediatrician—but was
unable to do so for her youngest. This child received a heart transplant, and
will spend the rest of his life taking immunosuppressant drugs to keep his body
from rejecting his new heart. These drugs suppress his immune system, and
prevent him from receiving vaccines. Instead, he relies on community immunity. (Hillenburg)
The Center
for Disease Control defines community immunity as “A situation in which a
sufficient proportion of a population is immune to an infectious disease
(through vaccination and/or prior illness) to make its spread from person to
person unlikely. Even individuals not vaccinated (such as newborns and those
with chronic illnesses) are offered some protection because the disease has
little opportunity to spread within the community.” (CDC) With the high prevalence
of vaccinated children, the United States has a strong community immunity. Unfortunately,
with the rise of the anti-vaccine movement, our community immunity is weakening.
Measles spreads easily among the unvaccinated, and 2014 saw a record high of
667 documented cases reaching 27 states. (CDC)
Parents who
choose not to vaccinate their children do so because they are concerned with
the safety of vaccines. They do not believe that the ingredients in vaccines
are safe and effective in preventing disease. Many do not believe in the authority
of the medical field or the CDC. Pro-vaccine parents believe the numerous studies
that have proven the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. (Vaccine Pro/Con) Ultimately,
we have a crisis of faith between the two groups—do we believe in science and
medicine, or conspiracy theories and anecdotal research?
We have two
deeply different warrants at odds here, that are unlikely to be reconciled. It
is a difficult thing to prove a point to someone who does not believe your
evidence is real. However, the unshakeable fact both sides can observe is that
incidences of preventable diseases are rising. In 2000, measles elimination was
documented in the United States. Less than 15 years later, we watched an
outbreak spread across the country. We know that vaccines are the reason
diseases like measles were eliminated. It stands to reason that discontinuing
vaccine use has caused their return.
Outbreaks like this terrify mother
like Stacey Hillenburg. She writes “My
son has already fought for his life while waiting for his heart transplant. I
do not want him to fight for his life against an entirely preventable disease.
Please, vaccinate yourself and your children, on time, every time. Do it first
and foremost for yourself, but also for your community, and for children who
cannot be vaccinated and are relying on you. Children like Ben, and thousands
of others like him.” (Hillenburg)
Works Cited
Hillenburg, Stacey.
"Why Measles Outbreaks Terrify Me - Voices For Vaccines."Voices
For Vaccines. 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2016.
"Measles Cases
and Outbreaks." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 07 Apr. 2016. Web. 29 Apr. 2016.
"Vaccines:
Glossary." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 5
June 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2016.
"Vaccines
ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. 4 Apr. 2016. Web. 29 Apr.
2016.
No comments:
Post a Comment