People are refusing vaccinations because of fear. The concern of autism causes many to be afraid and against immunizations. These anti-vaxxers are refusing MMR and other vaccines that prevent significant diseases and death. The analysis of Andrew Wakefield's work and related anti-vaccine information regarding these diseases and the rates of the diseases prior to and after immunizations were studied. Wakefield’s studies caused a panic across the United States. People began refusing vaccines because of his vocal opposition to MMR. Other studies showed a “link” between autism and thimerosal, the preservative in some vaccines. Anti vaccinators were quick to think of vaccines as the cause of their child's disorder because of the misguided information that had spread like wildfire in 1998, which caused some of the citizens to not trust the whole vaccination system. The American population should be shown the research, taught of immunizations and the cause of autism and similar diseases. By doing this, it could help control their refusal towards immunization and contradict diseases that are prevented by the shots. By education it is hopeful to learn from the mistakes that has happened in the past. Our research evaluated multiple internet sources regarding the relationship between autism and immunizations. Rates of immunizations and autism are still changing. ¨Eighty seven percent of Pediatricians in the United States said that they encountered parents refusing to vaccinate their children in 2013. A decade earlier, seventy five percent of doctors reported that they had experienced vaccine refusals¨. The fear of autism causes parents to decrease their consent for some or all vaccines despite their being many studies disproving the link. This problem needs to be addressed by further educating families. The relationship between autism and immunizations are not related in a constructive manner. Instead of listening to proven facts, anxious parents pay closer attention and value outspoken and biased media figures. They are unable to trust medical professionals or evaluate scientific studies based on logic. This matter began with an uncontrolled study by Andrew Wakefield in 1998. Wakefield did a investigation on twelve children, eight of them were diagnosed with autism. The scientific methods were not reliable or up to standards. ¨Wakefield’s hypothesis was that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine caused a series of events that include intestinal inflammation, entrance into the bloodstream of proteins harmful to the brain, and consequent development of autism¨. Even though he was stripped of his medical doctor license, people listened to his lies. The misinformation flourished. Next, Jenny McCarthy used her celebrity status to further promote the connection between autism and vaccination. Her son was afflicted with the disorder and coincidentally diagnosed around the same time. ¨She recalled that her son was vaccinated about the time his symptoms first appeared¨.
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After the immunization was introduced, the number of people affected by the disease were less than 150 per year.” (footnote CDC) This is a fact. Measles accounted for many deaths (about 450 in 1958) and can result in a horrible illness with complications of pneumonia or brain infections called encephalitis. Measles is very easy to catch and spread. It is said that the virus can remain in the air of an elevator for about 2 hours after a person infected, coughing or sneezing, leaves it. (footnote) In the recent past, there was a measles outbreak at Disneyland. It is a highly contagious disease, spreading to others up to 4 days prior to the characteristic …show more content…
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia claimed that ¨Similarly, children with congenital rubella syndrome are at increased risk for development of autism. Risk is associated with exposure to rubella before birth but not after birth¨. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia defined congenital rubella syndrome as ¨a condition that occurs in a baby whose mother is infected with the rubella virus¨. Withholding immunizations could result in dire consequences to the infant if the mother is not covered.
Diseases that have been devastating in the past have disappeared by giving shots. The World Health Organization has certified that small pox was completely gone in 1979 due to vaccination. Thirty percent of people who used to get small pox died from it. Measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and polio have the potential for being eliminated by immunizations. We also know that by decreasing the rates of diseases covered by shots (Hemophilis Influenza B, Human Papilloma Virus), we have decreased rates of cancer in
After the immunization was introduced, the number of people affected by the disease were less than 150 per year.” (footnote CDC) This is a fact. Measles accounted for many deaths (about 450 in 1958) and can result in a horrible illness with complications of pneumonia or brain infections called encephalitis. Measles is very easy to catch and spread. It is said that the virus can remain in the air of an elevator for about 2 hours after a person infected, coughing or sneezing, leaves it. (footnote) In the recent past, there was a measles outbreak at Disneyland. It is a highly contagious disease, spreading to others up to 4 days prior to the characteristic …show more content…
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia claimed that ¨Similarly, children with congenital rubella syndrome are at increased risk for development of autism. Risk is associated with exposure to rubella before birth but not after birth¨. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia defined congenital rubella syndrome as ¨a condition that occurs in a baby whose mother is infected with the rubella virus¨. Withholding immunizations could result in dire consequences to the infant if the mother is not covered.
Diseases that have been devastating in the past have disappeared by giving shots. The World Health Organization has certified that small pox was completely gone in 1979 due to vaccination. Thirty percent of people who used to get small pox died from it. Measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and polio have the potential for being eliminated by immunizations. We also know that by decreasing the rates of diseases covered by shots (Hemophilis Influenza B, Human Papilloma Virus), we have decreased rates of cancer in