Abstract
This paper discusses the controversy
surrounding vaccinations, and gives a brief history about immunizations and the
impact they’ve had in preventing infectious disease. This discussion includes three
different topics surrounding this issue: The link between vaccines and autism,
the difference between natural immunity and artificial immunity, and the
importance of medical ethics. My own argument will also be included based on
the information I’ve acquired through my research.
The
Reason behind Vaccines
An argued topic in the world today is that
of vaccinations, and the role of individual rights when it comes to be
immunized. Many believe vaccines are saving us from the devastating impacts of
disease and should be required, while others refuse, and argue they’re harmful
and a matter of personal opinion. Questions are being asked, such as: are they
really preventing diseases? Or, exactly
how dangerous are they? Perhaps taking a look back in history can give us a
grasp of how far vaccinations have brought us.
Back in the 1950s, polio was widely feared
and was seen as the worst threat to the public. It produced more than 300,000
cases, resulting in 58,000 deaths each year (Opposing Viewpoints, 2015).
“Diseases like whooping cough, polio, measles, Haemophilus influenzae,
(HIBS) and rubella struck hundreds of thousands of infants, children and adults
in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014).
Vaccinations are used to avoid and
hopefully eradicate many of these infectious diseases that have spread
throughout the world and taken the lives of thousands of people. From the CDC’s
definition, vaccines contain the same virus they’re trying to prevent, but the
difference is that these viruses are weakened to the point that they will not
cause the full-blown illness. However, they are still strong enough to cause an
immune response against the disease. Because of this, “a vaccine is a safer
substitute for a child’s first exposure to a disease” (CDC, 2014).
This method was started by Edward Jenner,
a physician and scientist, who created the first vaccine for smallpox by using
cowpox (a similar disease that affects cows) in 1796. (Vaccines Pros and Cons,
2015). Because of vaccine developments, diseases like Diphtheria, Rubella,
Polio, and more “are becoming rare . . . because we have been vaccinating
against them” (CDC, 2014). However, by choosing not to vaccinate, we’re again
putting ourselves at risk for an outbreak.
For example, In Japan in 1974, about 80%
of children were getting the vaccine for pertussis, or whooping cough. Only 393
cases were reported that year, and there were no pertussis related deaths. Over
the next few years, the vaccination rates began to drop, until only about 10%
were being vaccinated. By the year 1979, more than 31,000 people had contracted
whooping cough and 41 deaths were reported (CDC, 2014).
Great Britain, had a similar problem when
fear of the pertussis vaccination led people to avoid immunizations. The
affects were “dramatic and immediate” with more than 100,000 cases and 36
deaths. From these situations “it seems clear . . . if we were to stop
vaccinating, [these diseases] would come back” (Opposing Viewpoints, 2015).
Understanding the reasoning behind those
that refuse vaccines can help us come to a conclusion of whether or not we
should mandate them, and also help us find a way to avoid future outbreaks. In
this essay, I will discuss three important points made by those opposed to
vaccines, and address the opposite views as well before concluding with my own
thoughts.
The
Issue of Autism
It has become increasingly common for
people to refuse vaccinations because of their potential risks. The first
example involves Andrew Wakefield, a former physician in the United Kingdom.
Wakefield claimed that MMR Vaccines were not tested adequately for safety, and
consequently cause Autism. He argues that single vaccinations for Measles,
Mumps, and Rubella are safer than the grouped MMR vaccine. After being
published in a popular magazine titled The
Lancet, the British Medical Council disqualified him from practicing
medicine when no evidence could be found to support his claim. It was also
discovered that he “altered the medical histories of all 12 of his patients,”
making him guilty of scientific fraud. The remaining stories floating
throughout the media have continued to damage public health. (CNN, 2011). Many still
advocate that the MMR vaccination is linked to Autism, and argue parents should
be allowed to choose the separate vaccinations they wish for their children
(Wakefield, 2014,).
Autism is one main concern to parents above
all else, and though autism isn’t completely understood, it is known that
“Autism is not a disease, but a syndrome with multiple non – genetic and
genetic causes” (Muhle, Trentacoste, Rapin, 2004). One non – genetic cause it’s
referring to is being exposed to toxic substances that can be found in vaccines
(Muhle, Trentacoste, Rapin, 2004).
In 1999, it was recommended that that “thimerosal
[an organic mercury compound] be removed from vaccines.” Though the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the US Public Health Service (PHS) never stated
there was any evidence of harm caused by the ingredient. They also emphasize
“that the large risks of not vaccinating children far outweigh the unknown and
probably much smaller risk, if any, of cumulative exposure to
thimerosal-containing vaccines over the first 6 months of life” (ProCon, 2015).
A second case of autism and vaccines
involved a twenty-month old toddler who, after receiving five vaccinations,
stopped making eye contact, lost her ability to speak, and withdrew socially.
Within a few months, she was diagnosed with autism. In court seven years later,
they ruled that her autism had been caused by her vaccines.
Many parents were relieved to hear the
government had finally acknowledged the link between autism and vaccinations.
But the court’s ruling was misunderstood, and the “Clinical Immunization Safety
Assessment (CISA) . . . within the CDC .
. . pointed out that officials had
decided Hannah’s underlying mitochondrial dysfunction was aggravated by her
vaccines, leading to fever and an ‘immune stimulation that exceeded metabolic
reserves’” (Opposing View Points, 2015). In other words, it was an underlying
genetic disorder that already existed before the vaccines were given.
Though it is true the vaccinations
aggravated the pre-exiting disorder, it is still arguably more important for
these children to be vaccinated, “because a vaccine is less taxing on the
immune system than a full-blown illness”(Opposing View Points, 2015).
In the end, there is no scientific
evidence that claims vaccines cause autism, but many still doubt. David Tayloe,
a pediatrician and president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics, says
“[Autism is] a terrible condition. It upsets families, and it upsets me. But
all the fear and anger about vaccines is misplaced . . . there's just nothing
there" (qtd. Downs, 2008).
Natural
vs. Artificial Immunity
Others argue that natural exposure
to a disease is more beneficial than receiving an artificial injection. There
are even pro-vaccine organizations that explain the effectiveness of natural
immunity by claiming that “natural infection . . . causes better immunity than
vaccines.” And rather than needing several doses from a vaccine, natural
immunity can easily occur after only one exposure (Is Natural Infection Better
than Immunization?, 2013).
It’s also argued that vaccines put dangerous
substances into your body, such as formaldehyde and aluminum, in addition to
the virus itself. Kurt Perkins, a Chiropractor and wellness expert notes, “This
process would never occur in building natural immunity” (Vaccination vs.
Immunization, 2013).
Though I agree natural immunity is more
effective to prevent us from disease after the first exposure, I do not agree
that it’s the safest way to gain immunity. As stated before, these diseases
have caused many deaths throughout history before their vaccinations had been
created; these illnesses are not the common cold or a sore throat.
In a book written by the US Department of
Health and Human Services titled Understanding
Vaccines What They Are and How They Work, it’s stated that “with naturally
acquired immunity, you suffer the symptoms of the disease. . . . Which can be
quite serious or even deadly” (Understanding Vaccines, 2008, p. 4). For
example, HIBS, a bacterial infection that that is usually seen in young
children, “can lead to a potentially deadly brain infection” and can also cause
diseases like “meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the brain and
spinal column), bloodstream infections, pneumonia, arthritis and infections of
other parts of the body” (New York State Department of Health, 2014). Also, you
carry the risk of passing the disease on to someone else. (Understanding
Vaccines, 2008, p. 4).
Because
of vaccinations, gaining immunity to disease is less risky and easier to
achieve without the risk of coming in contact with the full-disease. Vaccines
also “prevent a disease from occurring in the first place, rather than
attempt[ing] a cure after the fact. It is much cheaper to prevent a disease
than to treat it” (Understanding Vaccines, 208, p. 4).
Medical Ethics
The
last topic discussed is medical ethics. By mandating vaccinations, the private
decisions made between patients and doctors is compromised. This violates the “very
clear language in the Informed Consent section of the AMA Code of
Medical Ethics” (Adams, 2015).
The AMA Code also states that physicians
must honor the decisions of their patients, and patients possess the “right of
self-decision.” Mike Adams, an editor of Natural News, and activist in many
different aspects of health argues: “every
medical intervention comes with some level of risk, even if that risk is
small. [But] it is not zero, as is routinely and repeatedly claimed by vaccine
fanatics” (Adams, 2015). The problem Adams is addressing, is that most patients
are never told about the risks involved in vaccinations, which interferes with
their right to make the informed choice.
My concern with medical ethics, is how
unaware people are of the risks and the benefits of vaccinations. From my
research I believe many hear the controversial debates of the dangers of
vaccinations, and neglect to take the time to do any research themselves. I
agree with Adams, and the AMA Code of Ethics, that "Physicians should
sensitively and respectfully disclose all relevant medical information to
patients" (Adams, 2015). If people remain un-educated we will be put at
greater risk. It’s disconcerting to imagine that suffering another Polio
pandemic could possibly be the only way to remind people of the enormous
benefits of vaccines. What I’m arguing, is that something needs to be done to
lessen the ambiguity surrounding vaccines to avoid these diseases from bouncing
back again.
To give one more example, I found a study which
included parents who had vaccinated their children, and parents that had not.
From the study, 51% of those who refused vaccines believed that the severity of
these diseases was low, while only 18% of those who had chosen vaccines agreed
with them. From this research, we see that most who choose to unvaccinate their
children, are dramatically unaware of the diseases and the impact they have on
individuals and societies (Omer et al., 2009).
After spending the time I did on
this research, I strongly believe vaccinations need to be carried out by individuals
to avoid the risks to themselves, and the rest of society. I stand behind the
CDC when they caution: “if we let ourselves become vulnerable by not
vaccinating, a case that could touch off an outbreak of some disease that is
currently under control is just a plane ride away” (2014). I agree that
“Vaccines are held to the highest standard of safety” (CDC, 2011). And I also
agree that the risks of vaccinations are “extremely small and less than that of
the risk of serious complications from the disease itself” (Wilson, 2001).
We live in a time now, where most of
these diseases occur so rarely, it’s impossible to know for ourselves how devastating
they are. Unlike those affected by Polio, we don’t see our friends and family
members dying left and right. This is concerning, because it gives people a
false sense of security. These diseases still exist, and if we choosing not to
vaccinate “we could soon find ourselves battling epidemics of diseases we
thought we had conquered decades ago” (CDC, 2014).
I argue that doctor’s need to disclose all
information about vaccines to patients so they can exercise their own right to
choose. To be clear, I will use these words from an article in the New England
Journal of Medicine which says:
The committee . . . recommends that clinicians address
vaccine refusal by respectfully listening to parental concerns, explaining the
risk of non-immunization, and discussing the specific vaccines that are of most
concern to parents. . . Continued refusal after adequate discussion should be
respected unless the child is put at significant risk of serious harm (e.g., as
might be the case during an epidemic)’ (Omer et al., 2009).
As
parents are given the chance to openly discuss their concerns, and know the facts
surrounding vaccines, I believe they still have the right to choose not to
vaccinate. But they need to be made clear about what risks are involved by
remaining unprotected. They need to understand how their choice will affect
those around them in the event they contract one of these preventable diseases
and risk passing it onto another unvaccinated individual, or to a child who is
not yet old enough to receive their own vaccinations.
I
conclude that vaccines have greatly impacted the health of the public, and they
need to be carried out by all individuals that are medically able. I argue,
that even though vaccines and their risks are not completely understood, the
risks of choosing not to vaccinate are far greater than if we keep ourselves
protected from these devastating diseases. In the end, vaccinations are the
best way to keep our society safe, and it’s time we make sure others understand
the importance of vaccinating themselves and their children.
References
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M. (10 Feb, 2015). American Medical
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M. (2008). Autism-Vaccine Link: Evidence
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