Vaccinations For Common Illnesses And Disease Essay

Concerns about a possible link between MMR vaccine and autism were raised in the late 1990’s, following a publication of studies claiming association between MMR vaccine, bowel disease and autism. In a paper published in 1998 by Dr. Wakefield, a gastroenterologist, theorized a link between measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and autism. This association attracted substantial media attention, which still continues today, despite many studies done showing no evidence that MMR vaccine causes autism. The vaccine controversy was focused on the combined vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and the allegations that it causes, symptoms associated with autism. Dr. Wakefield

Since its development in 1958, the MMR vaccine has been used as a preventative mechanism against developing the Mumps, Measles and Rubella. With its development, came the much-debated proposition that the vaccination may lead to the development of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in children. In this paper, I will address this claim by analyzing the historical background of the MMR vaccine. By exploring the vaccine's controversial history, from its very first trial conducted by Dr. Sam Katz and Dr. Thomas Peebles, to Dr. Andrew Wakefield's study in 1998, I hope to provide a better understanding of how this false claim may have come about. In subsequent papers, I plan to analyze why this fallacy seems to have prevailed today.

One popular argument opposing vaccines states that according to the CDC, “all vaccines carry a risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in about one per million children” (CDC). Senate Bill 277 has not eliminated medical exemptions, therefore, children who might develop an allergic reaction will be prohibited from being vaccinated. This allergic reaction caused by vaccines is also rare and its rewards are well worth the risk. Studies conducted in the US and Europe have found no association between the MMR vaccine and autism (American Academy of Pediatrics). Many parents have been concerned about vaccinations because they believe it’s a probable cause for autism but no study has proven a connection between the two. Vaccines are thoroughly examined by scientists, doctors, and health experts before being released to ensure the safety of the public. Through many active experiments, vaccinations have proven to be quite

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been given to children since 1971, usually around the age of one year, and again before starting school at around four or five years old. In 1998, Andrew Wakefield et al published a paper that proposed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. It was later found that the paper was fraudulent, and The Lancet, the medical journal that published the paper, retracted the paper. Ever since the paper was published, many people believe that the MMR vaccine causes autism, despite the multiple studies throughout the world that prove otherwise.

This claim comes from a study done by Andrew Wakefield in 1998. He published a studied that allegedly connected autism to the MMR vaccine. Several other studies attempted to replicate his work, and did so unsuccessfully. Wakefield’s work was found to be fraudulent and he was struck off the medical registry.

In the immunization study, we see how the misleading information could impact the lives of people. In 1998, Andrew Wakefield and his colleagues by publishing a paper suggesting that the autism may be related to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine have led some parents to stop giving their children the MMR vaccination.

If you go to a shelter and adopt a dog, it will be vaccinated for rabies. If you are found owning a dog that never received it's rabies vaccine, you will be fined. Why? The more dogs that are not vaccinated for rabies, the more likely it is that the rabies virus will spread to other dogs. The same thing happens in people, with any vaccines and illness.

Mrozek-Budzyn, Kiełtyka, Majewska & Augustyniak (2013) expresses that their investigation and analysis concluded that “No significant differences of cognitive and intelligence tests results were observed between children vaccinated with MMR and unvaccinated" (2553). A standard mumps, measles and rubella vaccination will not cause a child to fall behind in their early learning and it will not reduce their mental capacity. Another large concern that many anti-vaccination parents have, comes from a study published around a decade ago. DeStefano, Price &Weintraub (2013) explains that the researchers focused on “a link between the measles, mumps and reubella vaccine, thimerosal-containing vaccines and the development of autism” (561). Even though the study made it clear that vaccines contributing to autism development are very unlikely, many parents still use their interpretation of these results to halt their child's immunizations. DeStefano et al. (2013) continues by revealing that additional research on the amount of immunologic stimulation shows that there is “no evidence that the association between exposure to antibody-stimulating proteins and polysaccharides contained in vaccines during the first 2 years of life and an increased risk of autism” (563). In the article, “Safety of Vaccines...”, Maglione (2014) also acknowledges that more

Before vaccines were discovered, millions life were taken due to various childhood diseases, including mumps, rubella, polio and measles. Therefore the discovery of vaccine was such a breakthrough in the medical field at the time. Not only did it help to cure simple diseases, such as cold, it also helps to eliminate some fetal infectious diseases, such as rubella and polio. However, for some mothers, they choose not to vaccinate their child simply because of the erroneous information and fear that were spread among mothers.

Vaccinations have been a subject of controversy since their creation. While those in the medical field and a vast majority of the population believe that they are necessary, there are those who believe that vaccinations are wrong and/or harmful. There have been many scientific studies done, and lots of factual articles written over the years to disprove these theories, but there are still people who associate vaccinations with fear and injury. Many of these fears are unfounded and due to misinformation based in unproven and unscientific methodology. These articles that have created so much fear and panic surrounding vaccines have been disproven, and one doctor even lost his medical license because of the untruths he published in his

The biggest and most radical idea is that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination (MMR) causes autism or related disorders. The reason why this suspicion is so popular is due to the matter of when the signs of autism are shown. When you are baby, symptoms can be tough to see, until the baby develops into a toddler you most likely will not have noticed any delays. The MMR vaccine is usually distributed at the peak of autism's symptoms. So if a child has the disorder and autism does not become visible until after the shot then suspicions may arise. But a woman did everything organic for her baby and the child developed autism. The MMR vaccine has nothing to do with autism in her

George Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association said, “Because of their impact on society, a coordinated strategy is necessary to understand, detect, control, and ultimately prevent infectious diseases” (Williams 10). Mandatory vaccinations will insure the protection of health, diseases would eventually become eradicated, and people would no longer be able to spread diseases throughout the world.

Almost ten years ago a child receiving the MMR vaccinations was on the rise. Not only were the MMR vaccinations on the rise, doctors were diagnosing more and more children with autism. The main concern was the preservative called mercury that is in the vaccines. ( Beyond the Autism/Vaccine Hypothesis: What Parents Need to know about Autism Research. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 8, 2015.) The Autism Science Foundation has done multiple studies on children who have received all of the MMR vaccinations at once and they have studied children who have received the vaccinations at different times. Studies show that there is no clear evidence that the brain or body responds differently when a child receives the vaccinations at any given point or time. People of higher authority have tried to educate the general public by giving false and misleading statements about the MMR vaccinations Senator Rand Paul, in two separate interviews stated that “many children have developed profound mental disorders” after the MMR vaccinations. (Paul Repeats Baseless Vaccine Claims. (2015, February 3). Retrieved April 9, 2015.) There is no link between autism and the vaccinations according to studies. (Beyond the Autism/Vaccine Hypothesis: What Parents Need to Know about Autism Research. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 8,

There have been many institutes questioned, such as the Institute of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Food and Drug Administration. These agencies have found no linkage between vaccines and autism. These agencies have conducted thousands of studies and have found no proof that autism can be blamed on a child’s immunizations. Opponents of these studies would like parents of autistic children to believe that the results have been influenced. Some groups would like the rest of us to believe that the government and the drug companies are influencing the outcome of the reports. The Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine receives the most study, this is because the link between the vaccine and the onset of many children having autistic symptoms. This link may be just a coincidence. The time most children receive their measles mumps and rubella shot is around three or four years of age the same time many parents suggest that their child starts

In response to the first question, I do not believe that the solution to the negative impact on public health caused by the movement of people, food and manufactured goods lies in reducing these flows. While that may help, it doesn’t seem to be a feasible option. Human population is ever increasing and people will always be on the move to find jobs and a better way of life. Also, in many lands we have become accustomed to having fruits and vegetables out of season or not native to our areas. Even the increasing trends towards protectionism have not stemmed the tide of migration. That being the case, we need to look at alternative methods for lowering the spread of global disease.