The Anti-Vaccine Movement

The debate on vaccine safety has been gaining popularity among people in the US at a rapidly growing rate. The anti-vaccine movement was once a small and contained to a few questioning and concerned parents joined by a handful of doctors. However, the amount of doctors, naturopaths, and homeopaths joining the anti-vaccine movement has been increasing more over the last few years. The vaccine conversation has become even more popular in the last few months. This directly correlates with the upcoming presidential election as vaccinations have been one of the main discussion topics among candidates. (Benen) Along with the politicians and presidential candidates, there is also a growing list of celebrities who have become outspoken on the controversial

topic in recent years. (Merlan) Although anti-vaccine spokespersons are against the same thing, the anti-vaccine issue is complex with many different angles and arguments, so individual reasons for being against vaccines varies greatly. Fortunately, anyone who is willing to look at the facts about vaccines can recognize that the foundational arguments against vaccines are built on debunked studies, bad science, and unprofessional opinions.
The people targeted most by people against vaccines, often called anti-vaxxers, are expectant parents and parents of young children, specifically ones who have not decided whether they will vaccinate their children.

Often this movement uses fear tactics to dissuade people from getting vaccinated. As science shows more and more that vaccines are not dangerous and anti-vaccine arguments get debunked, the spokespersons in the anti-vaccine movement become increasingly outspoken on their views and continue to search for other arguments against vaccines. Some anti-vaxxers have gone so far as to say that vaccines could lead to bioterrorism and have caused government and pharmaceutical coverups. (Landsman) Extreme hostility is also shown to people who do not jump aboard this movement. Parents who choose to vaccinate are often ridiculed by the anti-vaccine community members. Even more hostility is shown towards those who were once anti-vaxxers but then changed their stance on vaccines. The fear mongering, hostility shown towards the vaccine community, and the misinformation being spread by the anti-vaccine community is concerning and needs to be

addressed.
Currently, the biggest argument against vaccines is that they cause or could possibly lead to autism or other unknown health problems in children. Although Andrew Wakefield’s study linking autism to vaccines is now completely discredited due to lack of scientific evidence and poor research methods, it still fuels this argument. Unfortunately, despite any scientific proof, people still believe the false claims that vaccines cause autism. (Wilson) This false premise is also fueled by parents who claim that their child was “normal” before being vaccinated, but then immediately started showing signs of autism after they received their shots. This thought process has many flaws as autism generally cannot be correctly diagnosed until a child is older. Signs of autism also do not appear immediately but begin to show in lack of average development. Like all other physical, psychological, and mental disorders, autism should always be professionally diagnosed. (Elder)
Some believe that vaccines should not be done away with completely, but that too many vaccines are being administered too quickly at too young of an age. (Hubbard) In his book Make an Informed Vaccine Decision For the Health of Your Child, Doctor Mayer Einstein examines this possible problem and says, “For example, toddlers can receive DTap, MMR, hepatitis A and B, Hib, pneumococcal, polio, flu, and chickenpox vaccines during a single doctor visit - even though this combination was never tested for safety (or efficacy).” (Einstein 199) Einstein later goes on to say that he believes vaccine combinations like these could cause more problems than they help. (Einstein 200) One of the main proprietors of this particular belief is Donald Trump. Over the last few years, and even more so in the last few months, Trump has boldly stated that he believes the vaccines themselves, the amount of vaccines given, or a combination of the two, can lead to autism. (Willingham) He has been quoted saying, "We had so many instances [in which] a child had a vaccine, and came back and a week back had a tremendous fever, got very very sick, and now is autistic.” (Shamsian) Unfortunately, many people choose to listen to celebrities like Trump with no credibility other than “personal experience” instead of doctors and scientists who have ethos due to holding esteemed degrees, experience in the medical and scientific fields, and years of research.
A more naturalistic anti-vaccination stance individuals have adopted is that the body has natural defenses, the innate ability to heal itself, and that natural immune defenses are stronger than vaccines.

It is also thought by some that vaccines are weakening the body's natural immune system. (Six Reasons to Say No to Vaccines) Some people are now using things such as diet changes and homeopathic supplements as vaccine alternatives. While it is true that the body has natural defenses, this argument is dangerous because the less that people vaccinate, the more prone they are to contracting diseases. Due to vulnerable immune systems babies and small children are especially susceptible to diseases such as mumps and measles when vaccinations are delayed or skipped altogether. (The Harm of Skipping Vaccinations or

Delaying)
Similar to the naturalistic viewpoint, many individuals believe that vaccines can be effective, but that there are unnecessary chemicals added to them. People are calling for pharmaceutical companies to eliminate possible harmful chemicals in the vaccines they produce. (Six Reasons to Say No to Vaccines) One of the biggest voices in this movement is actress and now board member of Generation Rescue, Jenny McCarthy. She has been quoted saying,
“What I really am is “anti-toxins” in the vaccines. I do believe that there is a correlation between vaccinations and autism. I don’t think it’s the sole cause, but I think they’re triggering–it’s triggering–autism in these kids. A really great example is…is, sometimes obesity can trigger diabetes. I do believe that vaccines can trigger autism…It’s so much more than just mercury. That is one ingredient in the recipe of autism…People don’t realize that there is aluminum, ether, antifreeze, still mercury, in the shots.” (Berman)
Although it cannot be denied that vaccines do have chemicals in them, many of these chemicals occur naturally in the body. Studies have also shown that because of the low doses of chemicals in the vaccines, there is no long term harm done to the body. This argument is meant to cause fear and dissuade parents from getting their children vaccinated. However, this argument is based on what merely what sounds dangerous instead of looking at scientific evidence. (15 Anti-Vaccine Arguments and Why They Are a Load of Crap)
There is growing concern that pharmaceuticals and the government, specifically the Center for Disease Control, are not fully honest about the safety of vaccinations.(Largent 38) While many are not against vaccinations themselves, they are skeptical of the research that the government presents. Distrust of the government with one’s health is often a major factor in deciding whether or not to vaccinate. (Six Reasons to Say No to Vaccines) Unfortunately, more and more people are believing that the government does not care about the health of people or go so far as to say that they purposely put peoples’ lives in jeopardy. This claim is another form of fear mongering with absolutely no evidence to back the claims being made.
Along with the anti-vaccination movement, a popular growing trend is vaccination detox. This route is often used by naturopaths and homeopaths. A vaccination detox is the process of attempting to remove any chemicals or toxins left in the body by vaccines. (Edwards) There are a number of natural remedies that people use to detox. A typical detox can consist of changing to a raw food or clean eating diet, taking probiotics, using herbal supplements and homeopathic antidotes, and physical treatments, such as massage and detox baths. (Heimer) The problem with vaccination detoxes is, much like the entire anti-vaccine movement, they once again have no scientific backing. While some homeopathic treatments are effective and do not necessarily have scientific research to back them, when there is a nonexistent problem no amount of homeopathic treatments will “cure” an individual. Arguably, the detoxes consist of things that everyone should be doing to maintain their health. These detoxes can contribute to overall health, when used carefully and in moderation, and people will most likely feel better, but it is not because they are detoxed of vaccines, but simply because feeling better is the result of a healthy lifestyle.
It is still a widely held belief among many Americans that vaccines are the safest, most effective way to prevent disease outbreaks and to protect people. However, due to the publicity the anti-vaccine movement has gotten over the past few years, it is beginning to change this mindset among a large group of people. As more doctors, scientists, politicians, and celebrities join this dangerous movement, vaccination rates will continue to steadily decrease while preventable diseases will once again steadily increase. Anyone questioning vaccines should take time to look at the science, facts, and data presented by numerous reliable sources instead of letting the hostile anti-vaccine community continue to pollute minds with their propaganda. The fear mongering must stop.Vaccinations are not dangerous. Vaccinations do not cause an array of health problems. Vaccinations cannot be replaced by homeopathic remedies. However, vaccinations do protect against preventable diseases. Vaccines do increase life expectancy rates. Vaccinations do keep people, and specifically our children, safe. It is time to take a stand against the anti-vaccine movement and the people who are putting numerous lives and our future generations at risk.