Why does it matter if we vaccinate or not?
There was a time (not really that long ago) when diseases such as: smallpox, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), chicken pox, were common...and in some cases, deadly. Yes, you could die from measles, and a number of other diseases-thousands of people died from them every year. Rubella causes blindness, deafness, and disability. A number of these diseases cause brain damage. Polio causes paralysis and can cause death, as can pertussis (whooping cough), particularly in a child.
We still need to remember how serious the flu can be. In 1918, there was a flu epidemic that lasted almost two years, spread worldwide, which killed between 50 million and 100 million people.
We have flu shots now, and while they can't always prevent every type of flu, they have helped immensely in the spread of that disease as well.**No, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ (killed) and that therefore are not infectious, or b) using only a single gene from a flu virus (as opposed to the full virus) in order to produce an immune response without causing infection.-from the Centers for Disease Control.
Some examples of the change in cases before and after vaccines were developed:
Year Polio cases Deaths from Polio
1950 (before vaccine) 33,300 9,904
1987 (after vaccine) 9 0
Year Pertussis cases Deaths from Pertussis
1950 (before vaccine) 120,718 1,118
1987 (after vaccine) 2,823 1
What would happen if everybody stopped vaccinating? https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/whatifstop.htm These diseases are not completely eradicated. There are people who legitimately cannot be immunized because of other conditions they have. So, when you get your shots, you protect others and not only yourself. Remember, also, that other countries are not as far along in their vaccination requirements, so if you visit that country or if someone from that country visits here, you would be protected as well, if you had your shots.
In reality, not many countries make vaccinations mandatory (required by the government), not even the United States, however in the U.S. they are routinely given, sometimes even at school, and the majority of people are in favor of vaccinating. Often before a child can be enrolled in school, he or she must have proof of vaccination. This usually holds true for students enrolling in college, as well. But, some countries are too poor to produce the vaccines, some cannot get it out to their people, and some people don't trust their governments telling them that vaccines are safe.
These countries also do not make vaccinating mandatory:
- Ukraine
- Laos
- Japan
- Latvia
- Canada
- Sweden
- Australia
- France
- Great Britain
- Italy does not require vaccinations and has many cases of measles every year
- Less than 10% of Nigerians have been vaccinated.
- Germany * Germany does not technically (by government) require vaccinations, but they do require it for children to attend school and do not allow home-schooling, so vaccination is actually required.
- Some of these countries have a high tourism rate; in Europe many countries have people traveling across borders all the time, increasing the chances of spreading disease.
What is the schedule of recommended vaccinations?
The Centers for Disease Control list them here, along with descriptions of the illnesses vaccines can prevent: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/growing/images/global/CDC-Growing-Up-with-Vaccines.pdf
How have these diseases cropped up again lately, and what is the danger of it? The diseases we have vaccines for were almost obliterated, especially in more developed countries, but lately have shown up again. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/06/opinion/vaccines-autism-flu.html
If you have been to the doctor lately for any reason, they may have asked if you have traveled out of the country recently. In part, this is so they know if you've been to countries where vaccinations aren't common: have you been exposed to something contagious, and are you exposing others at the clinic?
One argument people have believed (which is untrue) is that somehow vaccines have a connection to autism, a condition that can make it hard for people to relate to others and get along in the world. There is substantial evidence that there is no cause and effect when it comes to vaccinations vs autism: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/06/opinion/vaccines-autism-flu.html
The autism argument has been fueled by people believing what they read online. It's important we get facts from reliable sources, and not so-called information being shared that causes undue panic. By all means, do some research and get answers; only look to medical authorities and not celebrities or some murky unknown sources. Remember: Just because you read it online, doesn't mean it's true. Refer to sources such as:
The Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/
The World Health Organization https://www.who.int/
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services https://www.hhs.gov/programs/prevention-and-wellness/vaccines-and-immunizations/index.html
Or ask your own doctor(s) to explain about vaccines and how they work.
The next time you see your doctor, ask if you are up to date on your vaccines: A tetanus shot lasts 10 years, and you may need boosters on others you aren't aware of, depending on your age. College students are encouraged to get a Meningitis shot and one for HPV. Older adults may need a shingles shot and one for pneumonia. Technology and research have given us these preventive measures--let's use them to protect ourselves and our communities.
