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Marla Sprague Eng 112 Online Adrienne Cassel, Instructor 22 July 2013

Vaccines: A Shot in the Arm

Fig. 1 Mend Integrative Medicine "vaccine photo" Dr. Thomas Fuller said, "Health is not valued till sickness comes." It's for this reason that many people under estimate the importance of vaccinating their children. It seems like every month celebrities, television, and newspapers depict the horrors of vaccines. Often these reports and stories do not paint an accurate picture and can influence people's beliefs about vaccines before they have looked at all of the facts. Perhaps the most dangerous part of these stories is that they cause children to miss the vaccines they need. Vaccines are not just moderately effective, but they work phenomenally well. The best medicine is never getting sick in the first place; therefore, preventing disease by vaccinating our children is probably one of the best actions to take towards achieving a disease free life. Additionally, vaccinating our children is just the right thing to do. Evidence supports the prevention and in some cases extinction of many diseases due to vaccines. In most cases, vaccinating our children is clearly

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a good decision when we consider the use of vaccines from a community and individual standpoint, as well as re-evaluating the research linking vaccines to autism. Vaccines are one of the many steps one can take to help protect children and the community. Paul A. Offit, author of "Vaccine Risks Are Outweighed by the Risks of Not Vaccinating said, "When we vaccinate our children, we are helping to protect other kids as well. When other parents vaccinate their children they're helping protect our children too. The more children in a community that are vaccinated the less likely it is that any child, even those who have not been vaccinated, will get sick because there are fewer hosts for the infectious agents." (Offit 5) People who are not vaccinated include children who are too young, those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and those who refuse to vaccinate. This could be harmful to the community if something like the following were to occur: A person has a new born baby at their house and receive a visit from a friend who has kids that have not been vaccinated, unbeknown to the friend one of her kids was exposed to measles and now the newborn baby has been exposed. Thus, the decision to not vaccinate her children has now had an impact on others. Parental refusal of vaccination for children has led to an emergence of vaccine-preventable illnesses in the community. In the case of vaccination against measles, for example, national trends of vaccine refusal have increased the number of measles cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC 2) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), between January 1st and May 20th, 2011, 24 states reported 118 cases of measles. This is the highest number of measles cases reported since 1996. Of these cases, 89 percent were unvaccinated persons. Outbreak investigations over the past 4 years reveal increased numbers of causes related to intentional refusal of vaccination by parents. In an outbreak of measles in San

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Diego County in 2008, an association was found between cases and intentional avoidance of vaccination. In this instance, one imported case of measles resulted in 839 exposed persons. Both the index case and 75 percent of all related cases were in children whose parents had intentionally avoided vaccinating their children. Similarly, many of the 21 children affected by the largest measles outbreak in 2011 were unvaccinated because of parental concerns about the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. (Null, 3) When looking at the history of the introduction of the measles vaccine, it's obvious that the vaccine is effective in aiding to prevent incidents of measles, as shown in "Fig. 2" below.

Fig. 2 Science Based Medicine "Measles-United States, 1950-2001 Getting a child vaccinated helps protect others in our community, like the neighbor who has cancer and cannot get certain vaccines, or a best friend's newborn baby who is too young to be fully vaccinated. When everyone in a community who can be vaccinated is vaccinated, it helps to prevent the spread of disease and can slow or stop an outbreak. Choosing to protect our children with vaccines is also a choice to help protect our family, friends, and neighbors, too. Many parents who refuse to vaccinate their children feel like hand washing and other natural alternatives to vaccines will help keep their child from getting sick or spreading sickness to others. While no vaccine is one hundred percent safe, it can be said that some vaccines can cause more severe side effects than normal. For example, some can cause

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inconsolable crying, rash, and high fever. Although none of these symptoms results in permanent damage, they can be quite frightening to parents, but in most cases a vaccine's benefits clearly and definitively outweigh its risks. All 50 states require by law that children be vaccinated in order to attend public school. But there are exceptions in every state including medical exemptions, often religious exemptions, and an increasing number of philosophical exemptions. Still, some parents choose to ignore vaccine recommendations. Parents feel they should decide what's best for their child, not the government. Parents are constantly on the lookout for ways to protect their children. They are fanatical about such things as car seats, baby proofing their homes, and hand washing. Vaccines can save a childs life. It's important as individuals that we make the right decision to vaccinate our children. Due to advances in medical science, a child in most cases can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction primarily due to safe and effective vaccines (Allen 1). One example of the great impact that vaccines can have is the elimination of polio in the United States. Polio was once Americas most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States. (Allen 1) Vaccines are very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. A child who gets a vaccine-preventable disease may have to miss school or day care for many days or weeks. Time lost from work to care for a sick child can cause a financial burden for the family. These diseases can also cause lasting disabilities that result in expensive medical bills and long-term care. (Allen 1)

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Although vaccines are safe, there are some risks associated with them. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of injection but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children. (Null 3) In 2004 The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics did a case-control study to examine the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of parents whose children were under immunized with respect to two main recommended vaccines that have recently received negative attention, compared with parents whose children were fully immunized with respect to the recommended vaccines. The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. This case went on to prove that children were under immunized with respect to two or three vaccines (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis or diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis, hepatitis B, or measles-containing vaccines), and control subjects were fully immunized. Attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors indicative of vaccine safety concerns contribute substantially to under immunization in the United States say the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Official Journal of AAP 4) Although concerns were significantly more common among parents of under immunized children, many parents of fully immunized children demonstrated similar attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, suggesting a risk to the currently high vaccination levels. The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics adds that efforts to maintain and improve immunization coverage need to target those with attitudes/beliefs/behaviors indicative of

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vaccine safety concerns, as well as those with socioeconomic and health care access problems. (Official Journal of AAP 4) Many parents believe that there is evidence to support the linking of autism to vaccines. In fact for this reason alone many parents refuse to vaccinate their children because this is not a risk they feel comfortable taking. However, countless evidence has been introduced proving that there is no link between autism and vaccines. Additionally, parent concerns that vaccines might be related to a higher risk of developing autism were initially related to the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and thimerosal-containing immunizations. (Null 3) In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) carried out a study which concluded that according to all evidence, there is no casual link between these vaccines and ASDs (autism spectrum disorders).

Fig. 3 Hang the Bankers "Immunize every kid on earth" Nonetheless, parents continued (and continue) being worried about a possible link between vaccines and autism, particularly when their babies and young children have to receive many vaccines. However, no connection has been found between the number of vaccines a child received and his or her risk of autism spectrum disorder, states the (CDC 2). The (CDC 2) also found that even though kids are getting more vaccines these days, those

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vaccines contain many fewer of the substances that provoke an immune response. The study offers a response to vaccine skeptics who have suggested that getting too many vaccines on one day or in the first two years of life may lead to autism, says the Center of Disease Control. (CDC 2) Author and Doctor Michael (Roizen 6) urge parents to vaccinate their kids because the benefits outweigh the risks 20 to 1. (Roizen 6 ) Dr. Michael (Roizen 6) is a bestselling author and the chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. He is certified by both the American Boards of Internal Medicine and of Anesthesiology. He states that many parents believe vaccines cause autism. (Roizen 6) But the U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled recently that vaccines do not cause autism after examining several studies brought forth by the Institute of Medicine. The Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics all agree that vaccines do not cause autism. "We vaccinate between zero and two years of age," Roizen said. "That's when autism shows up, so there are going to be some cases that show up at the same time because they come coincidentally, but unrelated." (Roizen, 6) However, it remains possible that, in rare cases, vaccines might trigger the onset of autism symptoms in a child with an underlying medical or genetic condition. Autism Speaks is funding studies on the underlying biology of autism, including studies to better understand medical and genetic conditions that are associated with autism (Null 3)

Additionally, the (CDC) also reports that vaccines are held to the highest standard of safety. The United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history.

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Years of testing are required by law before a vaccine can be licensed. Once in use, vaccines are continually monitored for safety and efficacy. The CDC says that not vaccinating is a decision to put the child and others who come into contact with him or her at risk of contracting a disease that could be dangerous or deadly. (CDC 2) The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID 7) report that once your immune system is trained to resist a disease, you are said to be immune to it. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID 7) conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. NIAID is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health. (NIH) Before vaccines, the only way to become immune to a disease was to actually get it and, with luck, survive it. This is called naturally acquired immunity. With naturally acquired immunity, you suffer the symptoms of the disease and also risk the complications, which can be quite serious or even deadly. In addition, during certain stages of the illness, you may be contagious and pass the disease to family members, friends, or others who come into contact with you. Additionally, the (NIAID 7) state that vaccines can prevent a disease from occurring in the first place, rather than attempt to cure it after the fact. (NIAID 7) In most cases no vaccine is one hundred percent safe or effective, because every individual's immune systems reacts differently. It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it; disease prevention is the key to public health. We know that vaccines are some of the best tools modern medicine has to fight a number of killer diseases, studies have proven them safe, and the small risks associated with vaccines are continually being reduced through ongoing medical advances. Vaccines prevent disease in the people who receive them and protect those who come into

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contact with unvaccinated individuals. Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives. In addition, people who are sick will be less likely to be exposed to disease germs that can be passed around by unvaccinated children. Immunization slows down or stops disease outbreaks. Vaccinating our children is clearly the best decision when we consider the use of vaccines from a community and individual standpoint, as well as re-evaluating the research linking vaccines to autism.

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Work Cited Allen, Arthur. "Noncompliance with Mandatory Vaccinations Threatens Community Health." Should Vaccinations be Mandatory? Ed. Nol Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Rpt. from "Immune to Reason: Are Vaccine Skeptics Putting Your Kids at Risk?" Mother Jones 33.5 (2008): 91-92. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Vaccine Safety." Vaccine Safety Information for Parents. 8 February 2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 16 July 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/populations/parents.html>.

Hang The Bankers. "Cheif executive of GAVI wants to "immunize every kid on earth"." Clark Kent. 6 May 2012. Hang The Bankers. 2 August 2013. <http://www.hangthebankers.com/chief-executive-of-gavi-wants-to-immunize-everykid-on-earth/>. Photograph

Mend Integrative Medicine. "Influenza Vaccination Information." Mend Integrative Medicine. 9 December 2010. . 2 August 2013. Photograph <http://mendmed.com/2010/12/09/influenza-vaccination-information/>.

Null, Gary, and Martin Feldman. "Some Worries About Childhood Vaccinations Are Legitimate." Should Vaccinations be Manditory? Ed. Nol Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Rpt. from "Vaccination: An Updated Analysis of the Health

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RisksPart 3." Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine 293 (Dec. 2007): 117-120. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Pediatrics." "Under immunization Among Children: Effects of Vaccine Safety Concerns on Immunizations Status." 9 February 2004. American Academy of Pediatrics. 17 July 2013. <http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/114/1/e16.short>.

Offit, Paul A. "Vaccine Risks Are Outweighed by the Risks of Not Vaccinating." Should Vaccinations be Manditory? Ed. Nol Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Rpt. from "Common Concerns About Vaccines." Vaccines: What You Should Know. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

Roizen M.D., Michael. "CBN News: Health and Sciencce." Are Vaccinations Needed? Risks vs. Benefits. 15 September 2010. CBN News. 17 July 2013. <http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2010/September/Are-VaccinationsNeeded-Risks-vs-Benefits-/>.

Science Based Medicine. ""Vaccines didn't save us" (a.k.a "vaccines don't work"): Intellectual dishonesty at its most naked." David Gorski. 29 March 2010. Science Based Medicine. 2 August 2013. <http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/vaccines-didnt-save-usintellectual-dishonesty-at-its-most-naked/>. Photograph

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US Department of Health and Human Services. "National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease." Vaccine Benefits. 11 May 2010. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. 16 July 2013. <http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/vaccines/understanding/pages/vaccinebenefits.aspx>.