Selden Tenzing
Professor Killebrew
English 21003
March 24th, 2021
Why are anti-vaccinations controversial?
In recent times there has been a growing number of oppositions to vaccinate. Although vaccine opposition is not new but it has seen quite a rise in numbers. Parents are very skeptical and worried when it comes to vaccinating their kids. Through social media, the internet and word of mouth they believe that vaccinations are harmful. This fear has led to the number of kids getting vaccinated drop significantly. These numbers have led to an increase in outbreaks of measles and mumps which are vaccine preventable diseases. Just in 2019 New York City had a massive outbreak of measles when an unvaccinated child spread it in his community who were also not vaccinated. This news spread like wildfire and parents refused to send their kids to school with kids who were not vaccinated. This also started feuds in social media about the importance of vaccination. It was like adding gasoline to fire as people from both the vaccine and anti-vaccine communities went back and forth with their arguments. This scientific controversy will discuss the debate between the two sides the pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine.
Before we begin with the reasons it is important to know when these anti-vaccination sentiments started. The background information will help us understand why each side has its own perspective on things and give us an idea on the history. According to “The Vaccine Controversy” by Vascular Health Clinc it states “The vaccine controversy began in 1998 with a study written by a physician and twelve associates stating that the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) had related to a rise in autism in children who received it. That report was later discredited, and ten of the twelve authors retracted parts of it saying that there was, in fact, no “causal link” between the MMR vaccine and autism and that data indicating the connection were “insufficient.” This is when it all first started with one doctor’s research that would make people still to this day fear vaccination. Although it was deemed that there was no connection this fear was so deeply instilled on people that they did not believe it. Even after generations have passed this belief is still alive and well through word of mouth. After years and years of media and people chanting that vaccines can cause autism it has created a cloud of fear above parents’ head. Parents thinking that their child can develop autism makes them panic and avoid vaccines at all costs. This is one of the reasons why parents tend to stay away from vaccines. Some would think that this is an outdated way of thinking but there are still a lot of people who believe this as their personal truth and will go to lengths to fight for it. According to the New York Times, it states “The constituents who make up the so-called vaccine resistant come from disparate groups, and include anti-government libertarians, apostles of the all-natural and parents who believe that doctors should not dictate medical decisions about children. Labeling resisters with one dismissive stereotype would be wrongheaded”. That is why this false information is still the reason vaccine rates are so low and the reason behind outbreaks in several different communities like the one in NYC. It is sad to think that children’s lives are being put to risk and one little vaccination could prevent that. The other side argues that it is safe because it is administered by professional who know what they are doing. The CDC also argues that the only reason polio rates are so low is because of vaccinations so why would you deny that to your child.
Religion plays a significant factor in everyone’s lives and it is our belief system that we live by. Some people have extremely strict with their belief and others are freer with it. In this case it plays an incredibly significant role. Immunization is necessary in all fifty states, but the laws vary state by state and there are religious exemptions allowed. Religious exemption is when the government allows you to not vaccinate your child on the grounds that it goes against your beliefs. According to stat news, it states “The new study, released Monday, reports that states that do not have personal belief vaccination exemptions are four times more likely to have children claiming religious exemptions than states that offer parents both types of exemptions. After state authorities eliminated personal belief exemptions in Vermont in 2016, there was a sevenfold increase in religious exemption claims, the authors reported in the journal Pediatrics. They suggested that in some cases religious exemptions are probably being used when personal belief exemptions are no longer available.” This states that people’s religion might come in the middle of modern medicine, but some use it as an excuse. For example, some religions do not vaccinate themselves because of the contents used to make the vaccine like gelatin components. There is no problem with following your religion the problem arises when these religious communities are the ones spreading the diseases which the other side often brings up. They point out the fact that the outbreaks usually start in communities where religious exemption is used. They also believe that there should be a balance between religious exemptions and public safety/health. They know that if the exemptions are taken out there will be protest and riots which will only cause more problem.
We are heavily influenced by our surroundings and the people around us. It influences the way we act and our actions. This is another key factor in the pro-vaccination movement and anti-vaccination movement. According to the Journal of Community Health Nursing, it states “Studies consisconsistently report that circumstances that involve a trusting parent-healthcare provider relationship are associated with positive views and adherence to prescribed immunizations schedules.” This shows that there needs to be a dialogue between healthcare worker and concerned parents. Parents are scared and they do not want to trust anyone which is a crucial factor that pushes them away from getting their child immunized. Not only do the kids face negatives outcomes in their health but also in daily life. In the article “When Measles Breaks Out, Unvaccinated Kids Send Schools Scrambling,” it states that “When schools are identified, administrators must start an “exclusion period” of 21 days from the last time a student with measles attended, requiring students and staff who are not completely vaccinated for any reason to stay home during that time period. That prevents students who may be contagious but not yet showing signs of the illness from passing it on to their peers.” This shows us that the unvaccinated kids must stay home whether they like it or not. They do not have a choice and nothing their parents say will change the school’s mind. This now affects their education and not only their health but work life as well. Everywhere you will find vaccinations are required and if they keep missing days, they will miss opportunities that they might have. How will they ever learn anything if all they have to-do is catch up to the work they missed. Now this becomes a bigger issue since they will not be allowed in any public access building. Then it moves on from being just a vaccination issue it becomes an opportunity issue when you are stuck at home.
Overall, we see the controversy that lie in this topic. There are a lot of arguments from both sides and they both have a point to prove. This is still an ongoing debate especially now with the covid vaccinations. Both sides have their own argument and ideologies that they support with evidence. Even though it may be flawed on both sides of the debate. They will continue to fight for what they believe in and one day find a resolution for it all. The main priority should be the children.
Work Cited
Blad, E. (2020, November 29). When measles breaks out, unvaccinated kids send schools scrambling. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/when-measles-breaks-out-unvaccinated-kids-send-schools-scrambling/2019/03
Drhaqqani. (2020, January 13). The vaccine controversy. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.vascularhealthclinics.org/the-vaccine-controversy/
Hoffman, J. (2019, September 23). How anti-vaccine Sentiment took hold in the United States. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/23/health/anti-vaccination-movement-us.html
H., Branswell, H., Writer, A., & Writer, H. (2019, November 04). Study: Rise in religious vaccine exemptions points to some false claims. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.statnews.com/2019/11/04/rise-in-religious-vaccine-exemptions-suggests-some-parents-are-making-false-claims-study-suggests/
Whyte, M., Whyte, J., Cormier, E., & Eccles, D. (2011). Factors Influencing Parental Decision Making When Parents Choose to Deviate From the Standard Pediatric Immunization Schedule. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 28(4), 204-214. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23207758
Vincent Iannelli, M. (2020, December 09). Religious exemptions to vaccines and outbreaks in communities. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.verywellfamily.com/religious-exemptions-to-vaccines-2633702
