The Vaccination Controversy

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ANA CEO and nurse Myrtle Aydelotte once said, “Nursing encompasses an art, a humanistic orientation, a feeling for the value of the individual, and an intuitive sense of ethics, and of the appropriateness of action taken”.1 In preparing to develop my own nursing practice, I find this statement to be invaluable. It is this philosophy which has guided my educational and experiential journey from scientific evidence and statistics alone, to include patient relationship and ethical understanding. My first exposure to the “Vaccine Controversy” occurred in my biology undergraduate. I was fascinated, as I had only been exposed one side of the story, and began to research avidly, wondering if I might find definitive evidence giving backbone to the passionate arguments I heard. I should preface by saying that I was very particular about my sources of information, and refused to accept articles signed with random initials of an unknown author, photos of crying babies next to an impending syringe, or from sites with titles such as “The Angry Patriot”. What I found didn’t really surprise me. As do many people with healthcare experience, I understand that nearly every treatment we utilize in modern medicine is, to some extent, risk v. benefit. So, when my research indicated that some preservatives/ingredients utilized in vaccines might result in anaphylactic reactions, immune responses and other serious health problems at statistically low rates, I wasn’t shocked or concerned. When I read that some, more poorly made vaccines with pushy manufacturers and few long-term trials had these issues at higher rates, I was also not exactly surprised.2-4 I can understand though, why some people might be. Mainstream healthcare (not including general media... ... middle of paper ... ...ts on Vaccines & Disallow Exemptions. Health Freedom Alliance Web site. Published 2011. Accessed December 4, 2013. 15. Stewart M. Reflections on the doctor-patient relationship: from evidence and experience. The British Journal of General Practice. 2005;55(519):793-801. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1562329/. Accessed December 4, 2013. 16. The College of Physicians of Philadelphia: A Timelines Overview. The History of Vaccines Web site. http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/timelines/all. Accessed December 4, 2013. 17. Nurse Family Partnership presented at: University of Washington School of Nursing. Kazloric J, RN, Manager for NFP. November 6, 2013. 18. LGBTQ Training present at: University of Washington School of Nursing. Tucker K, Program Manager for Northwest Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian, and Gay Survivors of Abuse. November 20, 2013.

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