Dr. Tracey Wallace, Board Certified Family Practice Physician,
Host of True Health Doctors TV Show
A mother of a 16-month-old baby was sobbing as she spoke to me on the phone. She was nearing full panic mode. Her baby was having fits of coughing leaving her struggling to breathe. The little baby would turn blue during a coughing episode before returning to normal color. Unfortunately, another coughing spell would occur a few minutes later. It was agonizing for mom to watch this cycle repeated over and over. She had been to the doctor twice. The baby had been diagnosed with whooping cough. Mom had opted not to follow the immunization schedule recommended by the pediatrician. She had concluded from her own research that some vaccines cause more harm than good. She only wanted what was best for her baby but now her baby had a vaccine-preventable illness. Fortunately, in this case, the baby made a full recovery.
Vaccinate or not to vaccinate has been a question on the minds of many people but especially parents. The reluctance of many to follow through with vaccinations has led to a new label termed “vaccine hesitancy.” The World Health Organization (WHO) defines vaccine hesitancy as a “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services”. The majority of parents who would be considered vaccine-hesitant do immunize their children but not in accordance with generally accepted schedules. Only a very small percentage of parents refuse all vaccines for their children.
The reasons for vaccine hesitancy are quite varied but fall into 3 general categories; lack of confidence, complacency and lack of convenience. Lack of confidence is the foremost concern expressed. This includes concerns about the safety of the vaccination, questions about its effectiveness, distrust of health care systems and policymakers. Complacency is the general lack of concern or a perceived low risk of getting a vaccine-preventable disease. Lack of convenience alludes to the availability and accessibility of immunizations in regard to time and place.
(Canadian Family Physician Vol. 65, 175-18, March 2019)
The WHO states that “vaccination has greatly reduced the burden of infectious disease”. They, in fact, go on to say that only clean drinking water performs better at reducing the risk of disease. WHO bulletin volume 86, number 2, February 2008,
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Practice both strongly recommend getting all recommended vaccines because they prevent the spread of dangerous, contagious and potentially deadly diseases such as measles, polio, mumps, chickenpox, whooping cough, diphtheria and human papilloma virus (HPV)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that vaccinations have prevented more than 21 million hospitalizations and 700,000 deaths among children born in the US in the last 20 years. It’s estimated that for every dollar spent on vaccinations there is $10 savings on health care. (www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014)
So why all the controversy? Where did it start? In the late 1990 British researchers raised concerns about a possible link between the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. This research was later found to be flawed and was discredited. Numerous follow-up studies have not found a vaccine autism link. The CDC, WHO and many others have concluded that there is no increased autism risk with vaccination. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the concern lingers in the minds of many and on the internet.
Thimerosal which is a mercury-containing preservative used in some vaccines was also at one time thought to be linked with autism. Despite no conclusive evidence to support a link, thimerosal has been removed from most vaccines. Autism rates have not dropped.
Other myths about vaccines include that they cause the disease they are trying to prevent. Some vaccines such as the MMR vaccine contain live but weakened viruses. They stimulate the immune system but do not cause disease in healthy people. Individuals with a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed) should not be given such vaccines. Examples of persons with weakened immune systems include those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, transplant patients who are taking immunosuppressive drugs and those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system.
The United States is experiencing the highest number of measles cases seen in decades. This is a direct result of under vaccination. A case of measles in an otherwise healthy individual may amount to a major inconvenience but full recovery is anticipated. In an immunocompromised person, measles can be life-threatening or deadly. Unvaccinated people put cancer patients, transplant patients, newborn babies, the elderly and others at risk for serious disease. Not getting vaccinated has major public health implications that go far beyond individual preference.
Individuals who are hesitant about vaccinations should speak to a trusted healthcare professional. Asked them what they do for themselves, their children or grandchildren. Getting the right information is critical to keeping our families and communities healthy.
By the Numbers
- Vaccination prevents 2-3 million deaths per year
- Most routine childhood vaccines are effective for 85% to 95% of recipients.
- Each year, about 85 percent of the world’s children receive vaccines that protect them against tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and measles.
- The hepatitis B vaccine, although not as widely used, saves about 600,000 lives.
- More than 3 million people die from vaccine-preventable diseases each year.
- Approximately 1.5 million of these deaths are in children less than 5 years old.
In the USA,
- 50 states allow medical exemptions from vaccinations
- 47 states allow religious exemptions, and
- 16 states allow philosophical (or personal belief) exemptions.
NB. Statistics from the WHO 2016 & 2018 and the National Conference of State Legislatures May 2019.
