the argument
about measles
& vaccination
|By Dr. Christine W. Thorpe
Measles have become a topic of epidemic proportion in the news since the case of an infant with measles at Disneyland in California. The public’s response to the measles outbreak has revealed two camps that have something to say about the disease. There is the vaccinate camp which advocates for all children to be vaccinated for the betterment of society. Then there is the no vaccination camp which - for religious, medical, or political reasons - opt to refrain from vaccinating their children and strengthen their immune systems through high quality nutrition. Both of these groups have presented their valid reasons to support their position, potentially swaying the undecided segments of our society. Outside of following news reports and listening to personal stories of parents, how well do you know the reasons for or against the measles vaccination? Here are some points to consider before making a decision.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 173 measles cases as of March 6, 2015 in the United States sparked by three outbreaks in California, Illinois, and Nevada. The news reports have referred to these outbreaks and cases as epidemic, thereby creating a level of hysteria about measles. However, last year when there were over 600 cases of measles and in 2013 when there were just under 200 cases of measles the media did not make much mention of it at all. Many of news reports were actually about the H1N1 Swine Flu. As a point of information, the measles cases in 2014 were due to a large measles outbreak in the Philippines and a significant outbreak in unvaccinated Amish communities in Ohio.
Given these figures, the decision to vaccinate your children against measles would make sense particularly when an outbreak can occur at any time and spread around the world. The risk of death alone would motivate any parent to protect their children. Most parents are educated on the benefits of vaccination by a pediatrician from the time their child is born. Yet the decision to vaccinate for some comes with a need to deeply understand what exactly is being injected into their child’s body.
Some of the concerns about the chemicals used in vaccines have caused some parents to hesitate giving vaccinations to their children, particularly when there are documented side-effects. According to the CDC, the vaccine administered as a combination of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) single shot, contains saline, preservatives, stabilizers, and enhancers to maintain effectiveness. The average American would have some difficulty understanding exactly what this means, giving cause for skepticism. Reports of children who develop autism after receiving a MMR vaccination have been challenged because the federal agencies stand by the safety of the product. Proving causation is difficult for families whose children have experienced reactions to vaccines. Thus, vaccine safety education is critical for families to get answers to the many questions they continue to ask and learn about their options.
This point feeds into another argument that some families make against vaccinations. It has become big business for pharmaceutical companies, which becomes business for health care providers. Yet we can also argue that any parent who loves their children would do everything in their power to keep them safe. The fact pharmaceutical companies make money on vaccines can be understood as a basic element of business. Someone provides a product or service and we pay for it because we see value in it. However, the trust placed in pharmaceutical companies and federal agencies to do right by its customers is perceivably wavering although rigorous testing is done to ensure product safety.
is born. Yet the decision to vaccinate for some comes with a need to deeply understand what exactly is being injected into their child’s body.
Some of the concerns about the chemicals used in vaccines have caused some parents to hesitate giving vaccinations to their children, particularly when there are documented side-effects. According to the CDC, the vaccine administered as a combination of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) single shot, contains saline, preservatives, stabilizers, and enhancers to maintain effectiveness. The average American would have some difficulty understanding exactly what this means, giving cause for skepticism. Reports of children who develop autism after receiving a MMR vaccination have been challenged because the federal agencies stand by the safety of the product. Proving causation is difficult for families whose children have experienced reactions to vaccines. Thus, vaccine safety education is critical for families to get answers to the many questions they continue to ask and learn about their options.
This point feeds into another argument that some families make against vaccinations. It has become big business for pharmaceutical companies, which becomes business for health care providers. Yet we can also argue that any parent who loves their children would do everything in their power to keep them safe. The fact pharmaceutical companies make money on vaccines can be understood as a basic element of business. Someone provides a product or service and we pay for it because we see value in it. However, the trust placed in pharmaceutical companies and federal agencies to do right by its customers is perceivably wavering although rigorous testing is done to ensure product safety.
35