This article was on the subject of a fairly controversial issue. Dr. Offit understands that vaccination can be seen as “violent” and he understands that it can be scary when a person is not properly informed. Dr. Offit gave many great examples of the history of the fear of vaccination, but he also made a point to emphasize the positive impact that vaccination has had on the world. For example, he talks about Smallpox. Thanks to vaccination and eventually inoculation, Smallpox is not longer a disease that we have to worry about.
Dr. Offit was also sure to give examples of how not vaccinating children can be dangerous. He speaks about a community in California that decided not to vaccinate, resulting in a whooping cough epidemic. The examples he gives relate to what we have studied in class. We have studied diseases such as Smallpox and Influenza. These are diseases that we do not consider dangerous today thanks to vaccination. However, if people refuse vaccination it is possible that the world could return to its former state of outbreak of epidemic disease after outbreak of epidemic disease. This is a scary thought; perhaps more scary than the fear of vaccination.
I agree with Dr. Offit’s ideas. Vaccines have been around for a long time, and for the most part they have had a positive effect on the world. There is no scientific proof that autism is linked to vaccination, so that is not a valid concern. In my opinion, the valid concern is the possibility that infectious diseases could arise again if vaccination stops. It is necessary to educate people and help them understand that getting vaccinated is safe and a smart decision. Dr. Offit concludes the interview with a similar idea by saying, “there is this thing in us that compels us to instinctively help our neighbors. I think we have a societal instinct to protect the people around us.” The solution is not to stop vaccination; it is to educate people involved in the anti-vaccination movement.
I found this article very interesting. I think that vaccines are up to the parents but doctors should also inform them of the dangers regardless of their beliefs. I think that children should be exposed to the least ammount of vaccines, but on the other hand, parents need to weigh the positives and negatives. For example, the measles scare in Boston. I do not think that it is worth potentially exposing your child to measles to avoid vaccines that have not been proven to cause damage or mental disorders like autism. Also if people stop getting their children vaccinated, it would make outbreaks larger and eventually the diseases could return and be as bad as they were before we invented the vaccines for them. I think that since we have the power to protect our children from diseases, we should take advantage of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible that the idea that vaccinations cause autism is still given credence, even when all scientific evidence to date has not proven this. When the main poster-child for the anti-vaccination movement is Jenny McCarthy, you really have to wonder if the people behind the movement have some sort of hidden agenda.
ReplyDeleteIt's awful for parents to discover that their children have autism, that's true, and it puts tremendous pressure on supporting and figuring out how to direct their children's lives and their own lives. About 1 out of 110 children supposedly get autism from vaccinations, but that leaves many many other children who have not gotten vaccinated to be susceptible to diseases such as the flu, mumps, whooping cough, measles, rubella, etc. Autism is nothing to joke around with, but the trade-off is illogical.
It's important to try to be informed, but in a scientific environment, any claims made without significant evidence is simply misinformation. I can respect Dr. Offit for standing up towards a very volatile situation. Like what the article says, nobody likes getting vaccinated, but in many cases it is necessary. It's interesting to note in the article where it mentions that these anti-vaccine sentiments go awhile back. However it is more important to note what views have persevered through the times.
This article was really interesting, Kara. I never really thought about how parents might be nervous before having their child vaccinated. We, being children ourselves, don't have to and never really have had to deal with this kind of thing. After reading this and thinking back on past vaccinations, I realize that doctors don't really explain how the vaccine works when they give it to the child. They usually simply say that the child is due for a shot or advise that the child receives the vaccination without much explanation. The only way that one would learn the details of a vaccination would be through school (in a class like ours) or in a specialized college course. Perhaps in order for parents to be a bit more comfortable having their children vaccinated, more information could be put out as to how the vaccines work and what exactly they do in our bodies to prevent disease. It might make these controversies die down a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI think that Lindsey was spot on with her comment. It really just hit me that until this year, I had no clue as to how vaccinations worked, I just knew that everyone got them and that the doctor recommended them, so why not? I definitely agree with what she said about doctors providing more information about vaccinations instead of just saying that a child needs to be updated on his or her shots. This would ease parents' minds and if a child is old enough to understand how they work then I'm sure he or she would very much appreciate learning what is being injected into his or her body, and how exactly it helps.
ReplyDeleteI found this article really interesting, and it was a great topic to bring up considering our class and the things we learn about vaccinations. I definitely agree with what Lindsey said about parents being concerned about their children being vaccinated. It may seem routine to some parents, but it is very understandable to know that many parents out there have health concerns regarding vaccinations. Although there is no solid proof of vaccinations causing autism and other diseases, it seems necessary to consider the possibility. I also strongly agree with you, Kara, when you mentioned the greater risk in eliminating vaccinations for the risk of epidemics. It seems more logical to keep vaccinations around seeing as they really have a huge positive outcome for preventing disease.
ReplyDeleteI happen to think somewhat otherwise. I agree that some vaccinations are necessary but some are dangerous and can cause autism. I do happen to agree with the sentiment that it would be reckless to do away with all vaccines altogether. The consequences could be great. I also happen to like how you wrote this. It is presented in a organized and efficient manner, making it easy to read. It's always interesting to encounter differing points of views on subjects, especially pertaining to vaccines. Considering the fact that they are important, whether people like it or not, in our society and are good. When they actually work, that is.
ReplyDeleteKara, I thought that this was a very interesting article and that it brought up some many interesting points. I agree with what some of the other people are saying vaccinations are dangerous and painful but they are for a good cause. If I were a parent I would want my kids to get all their vaccinations but I wouldn't want them to be in any danger. I agree with you when you said that eliminating vaccinations isn't worth the damage that an epidemic could cause. In this case the benifits out way the concerns.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a very interesting article. I find it hard to believe that even with all of the scientific evidence that is out there, there are still some people who believe that autism can be caused by vaccinations. I do not believe that it is, judging by all of the evidence. Even if it does cause autism, the risk would be extremely slim and everyone should still be vaccinated. Getting rid of a vaccination because of the slight risk of autism isn't worth the amounts of deaths that could be caused by an epidemic disease.
ReplyDeleteThis issue of parents not vaccinating their children is a serious public health issue. By refusing to vaccinate their children parents are not only putting their child at risk for dangerous diseases but they are also putting young infants who have not been vaccinated yet at a heightened risk. Because of the lack of evidence showing that certain vaccinations can cause autism parents and individuals need to follow their doctors advice and get vaccinated. The only reason smallpox was eliminated was because people got vaccinated. I thought your title asked a great question, "To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate? Which option is more dangerous?" And I think that not vaccinating is more dangerous, the good of vaccination far outweighs the possible negative of vaccination. I think that with more positive reinforcement of vaccination maybe people will begin to understand how necessary they are.
ReplyDeleteKara, your article really grabbed my attention and it was very well written. It's unusual that something so beneficial to people around the world can possibly cause a slight risk to other dangerous circumstances. I wouldn't expect it to be such an issue to the extent that some mothers would not even take the chance to vaccinate their kids. Since vaccination has done more good than harm, I agree that everyone should be informed at the healthy outcomes. Getting vaccinated shouldn't even be a question when it could be saving your own life or someone else's.
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