The Vaccine Controversy
For most parents, having a happy and healthy child is all they wish for. While the flu or common cold is inevitable, there are some diseases that can be prevented by the use of vaccines. Seems pretty straight forward right? You vaccinate your child as directed by their pediatrician and go on with your life. Why then, are there so many new cases being reported of kids falling ill with diseases that have been almost nearly eradicated? Enter-The Vaccine Controversy. First of all, what is a vaccine and how does it work to prevent diseases? A vaccine is a “product that produces immunity by using a killed or weakened organism from a disease and can be administered through needle injections, by mouth, or by aerosol” (“Basics”). Immunization is not new; it’s actually been around for years. The two most well-known pioneers in the advancement of vaccines are Edward Jenner and Louis Pasteur. Edward Jenner produced the first vaccine in 1796 by using
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In the 10 years before the MMR combination vaccine, it’s estimated that more than three million people were infected with the virus each year. Up until 2000 the virus was all but eradicated, reducing the cases by over 99%. In 2008, due to the increase in anti-vaccinators, there was an increase in outbreaks. From December 2014 to January 2015, the CDC reported 644 cases of measles which is the highest number in any year since it was originally declared eliminated in 2000, all because people don’t vaccinate (“All Times Overview”). Thanks to immunizations, it is estimated that 2-3 million deaths are prevented every year in all age groups from preventable diseases, with an estimated 109 million children under the age of one being vaccinated. Annual deaths from neonatal tetanus have declined from 790,000 to an estimated 59,000, the global measles mortality has been reduced by over 74%, and polio has been reduced by 99% (“10 Facts On