Nicholson, M. S., & Leask, J. (2012). Lessons from an online debate about measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunization. Vaccine, 30(25), 3806-3812. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.10.072
This article addresses a debate through online discussion regarding the safety of the MMR vaccine and if it is the cause of autism. However, the authors faced some challenges in that they did not include enough health professionals to respond to the increasingly high rates of those questioning the vaccine. The forum was a place where parents could express their concerns, opinions, ask questions, and share their personal experience with their own children who they felt were affected by the vaccination. However, there was no connection to
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Over a hundred years ago, small pox affected over 48,000 people just in the U.S. Today smallpox has been eliminated because of immunizations. Immunizations are implemented in order to prevent diseases, decreasing the chances of diseases, building herd immunity, and prevention of diseases in children. The need for vaccination has eliminated infectious diseases. However, public health mediations have some risk. Past experience with other vaccines introduced forty years ago has presented some complications of intussusception and sporadic paralytic poliomyelitis. Small risk of individual vaccines is always considered when weighing the risk and benefits to preventing a spread of a disease to the greater population. Speculations of linking autism and type 1 diabetes has increased creating a debate on the safety of the vaccines and potential effects. Certain side effects included: crying, fussiness, fever and in rare occasions, febrile seizures. The vaccine contains: formaldehyde, egg proteins, human albumin, aluminum, antibiotics, thimerosal, yeast proteins, and ethyl mercury. Although the presence of mercury toxicity in the vaccine may cause the neurologic damage seen in autism, it has not been completely linked to the vaccine. The CDC recommends the MMR. Some believe that it might be related to the beginning of certain autoimmune diseases. However, there has not been any connection linking the two according to a study …show more content…
This concern has arisen due to an increase in the numbers of unvaccinated children in the U.S. leading to the debate if immunizations should be mandatory. This article addresses the ethical debate parents of vaccinated children face in their feeling that the government should make it mandatory for all children to be vaccinated. They feel unvaccinated children place a risk on their own children. Libertarians stress their rights to make their own choices regarding their health concerns and their children’s rights should not be violated. Conservatives argue all citizens, particularly in the area of health issues, should conform to guidelines that are for the greater good of protecting all citizens from avoidable harm. Both sides are based on the ethical principle derived from Western society of respect for people’s autonomy, right of self-determination of morals, and life’s meaning. While it is evident that we should not put others in danger, we should do what is ethically right to prevent injury. Although the libertarians and conservatives have two different views on vaccinations becoming mandatory they both reflect what is morally right for society and finding a proper balance of both displaying ethical principles. The author maintains the position both sides are doing what is morally right and
Petts and Niemeyer explore the controversy debate on what affects people from not getting their children vaccinated. They did a poll on who gets their children vaccinated and who does not get their children vaccinated. One factor Petts and Niemeyer discuss is why people are second guessing getting vaccinations for their children. The media has presented information, which led to false reports, although parents are acting upon these messages in which change their beliefs in vaccinations. Media has since affected the idea of vaccinations, parents are beginning to look into the vaccinations and predict if they will be mandatory or not for their children.
In his book, Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All, Paul A. Offit, M.D. presents us with a thoroughly in-depth look behind the veil of the vaccine controversy. Specifically here in the United States. Offit starts us off with the history of vaccinations giving insights into not just their creation but the controversy that has surrounded them since the beginning. We learn how these questions around safety and personal rights started and who have been the major decision makers in history. We hear about the groups and people that support vaccinations and those that do not.
Summary and Reflection on The Panic Virus Amid the ongoing dispute that links vaccines with autism, Seth Mnookin has published The Panic Virus in 2011. Due to what must be the success of the book, the author has re-published the book with an afterword in 2012. The book’s purpose is to provide perception of the truth using scientific facts and evidence. The author’s curiosity and interest in the issue grew after the realization of the suspicion of his friends toward the medical establishment and instead rely on journalism and media.
Those who oppose infant vaccinations believe that they cause a host of chronic, incurable, and life threatening diseases. To start off with the most debatable issue which is that mercury found in vaccines as a preservative leads to autistic spectrum disorders especially since it is given to infants at critical developing periods. According to a study, mercury levels are decreasing in the blood after being given the shot, thus believing that vaccines containing thimerosal which is an organomecury compound are safe to use (Pichichero et al, 2000). According to a more thorough study , mercury is not leaving the body or disappearing but traveling to the brain and turning into inorganic mercuric chloride (Burbacher et al, 2005).In the US, the commonness
Some common reported side effects of childhood vaccinations include fever, other viral symptoms and pain. There has also been speculation that these vaccination may contribute to autism. However, this has not been proven. Although, side effects are a valid concern.
Scientists agree that these claims are preposterous, and any sign of disease usually based on other natural causes. The strain of the virus used in the vaccine is dead and so insignificant that the chance of catching the disease from the vaccine is near impossible. The vaccine ingredients are also safe, no matter what the rumors about dangerous materials in these medicines. The FDA has undergone strict testing on each ingredient of every vaccine, to make sure every dose is safe. The fact is, most Americans actually support vaccines and its benefits.
Vaccinations are easy to obtain and they prevent many children against communicable diseases. Subsequently, a large number of parents are contesting the vaccination laws for children. Many parents feel there is direct link between being immunized, autism and birth defects. The percentages are low for these
The results of his study implicated vaccines as the cause of intestinal dysfunction and
For example, some parents are reluctant to vaccinate their children against diseases like Hemophilic Influenza if they won’t be attending daycare. While daycares require this vaccine, this deadly disease is a threat to all children, even if they do not attend daycare (Bronfin 3). People who oppose mandatory vaccinations for public school children point out parents concerned with their children being around unvaccinated children could move their child to a private institution requiring immunization (Murphy 2). This reasoning would only add extra stress for families trying to find schools for their children and could cost parents more money than just being able to send their child to a free public school without fear. The next most controversial concern parents have regards the ingredients in some vaccinations.
Currently, in the United States, the topic of vaccinations is widely discussed. Many parents are worried about vaccinations causing diseases, especially autism. Therefore they are choosing to file a personal belief exemption when it comes to schools requiring vaccinations. My research article “Exposure of California Kindergarten Students to Students with Personal Exemptions from Mandated School Entry Vaccinations” focuses on how disease outbreaks in the state may have something to do with the children who are not vaccinated. This article is set in California, one of twenty states that allows personal belief exemptions.
It is true that immunization could cause side effects, but nothing that would be extremely dangerous for humans, unless it is an allergy reaction but there are different kind of immunization to prevent that. It is worth the risk, better have a little bit of fever for a few days than get sick because of a disease that should be
Unfortunately, the anti-vaccination movement is becoming increasingly popular due to individuals’ unfounded fears and imagined consequences associated with the idea of purposely inserting a disease into one’s body. However, despite one’s beliefs, vaccines are essential not only to a person’s well-being, but to the health of those around them. Mandatory vaccinations do not cause autism; rather, they save lives while upholding values of
Despite one’s beliefs, vaccines are essential to not only a person’s health, but to the health of those around them. Mandatory vaccinations do not cause autism; rather, they save lives while also upholding values of the Constitution. Vaccinations are a form of medicine administered to provide a person an immunity to a disease. They work by utilizing a variety of substances to defend the human body against potentially deadly microorganisms (“Vaccine” 1).
Not all doctors believe in Vaccinations. Dr. Kurt Perkins discusses why not to vaccinate their child. He compares Vaccines and Immunization as he describes “Vaccination is simply injecting something into your body. This does not create immunity for your body. These are 2 totally separate entities.
There does, however, continue to be much discourse regarding the issue to vaccinate populations or not. Public and population health and safety should take priority when deciding whether to immunize or not. But how much do immunizations encroach upon an individual's personal