VACCINES: HELPFUL OR HARMFUL?

By Brandon HuddlestonPHE 326 Winter Term 2012

What is a Vaccine?

Vaccine - A vaccine is any preparation intended to produce immunity to a disease by stimulating the production of antibodies. Vaccines include, for example, suspensions of killed or attenuated microorganisms, or products or derivatives of microorganisms. The most common method of administering vaccines is by injection, but some are given by mouth or nasal spray.

- WHO (World Health Organization)

History of Vaccines

Derived from Cow pox Polo Vaccine developed 1950’s Small Pox extinguished in the 1960’s Vaccine safety hits prominence in the

1970’s National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act

(NCVIA)  enacted in 1986

- CDC

The Myth

Vaccinations are harmful and by allowing yourself to be injected it will result in long term illness or even death

Particular religious groups abstain from giving those within their group vaccines and choose prayer instead – SMJ

Some political groups combat mandatory vaccination on the argument of individual liberty.

The CDC guidelines

No Vaccine is 100% safe or effective Vaccine is such a familiar and unforgettable

event, any illness following immunization may be credited to the vaccine.

Vaccine licensing is an extensive process that may take 10 years or longer. 

If the clinical trials reveal that the vaccine is safe and efficient, the manufacturer applies to the FDA for two licenses: one for the vaccine (product license), and one for the production plant (establishment license).

Jenny McCarthy versus Vaccines

May 2007, celebrity McCarthy announced that her son Evan was diagnosed with autism in 2005. 

In 2008, she argued that vaccines can trigger autism

She’s been involved in fundraisers and activities for non-profit organizations helping families affected by autism spectrum disorders

A University of Michigan study found 24% of parents placed "some trust" in information on vaccine safety from celebrities like Jenny McCarthy

Types of Vaccines

Polio HPV Hepatitis A & B Rotavirus Influenza (Flu shot) Yellow fever Smallpox

Monitoring Vaccine Safety

Rare Reactions - The most imperative reason is to identify rare reactions. Vaccines are tested comprehensively before licensed for use in the America, however few people are included in the tests to detect reactions that happen only infrequently. Should severe reactions be found when the vaccine is in extensive use, the vaccine may be pulled.

- CDC

Monitoring Vaccine Safety

The thoroughness of Vaccine safety monitoring also makes sure new vaccines are safe for groups that are sometimes deliberately excluded from vaccine trials such as senior citizens, pregnant woman and those living with a chronic medical condition.

- CDC

Monitoring Vaccine Safety

Lastly, by monitoring vaccine safety it also helps to maintain public belief and favor to keep enough of the population vaccinated and to prevent future disease outbreaks.

- CDC

FDA wants you to know “Due to the success of immunization programs, the incidence of

vaccine-preventable infectious diseases has declined. Therefore, individuals are less aware of the serious consequences of vaccine preventable illnesses. While vaccines are extremely safe and effective, no medical product is 100 percent safe or effective. Vaccines have been proven, over decades, to be one of the safest and most powerful disease prevention tools available.

Today there are far fewer visible reminders of the suffering, injuries, and premature deaths caused by diseases that can now be prevented with vaccines. For most of the vaccine-preventable diseases, there has been a 95 percent or more reduction in incidence. Routine immunization has eradicated smallpox from the globe and eliminated wild polio virus in this country. Vaccines have reduced preventable infectious diseases to an all-time low and few children suffer the devastating effects of these illnesses.”

- FDA

Conclusion

What we know is Vaccines are not 100% safe and effective

Vaccines have been responsible for the eradication of deadly viruses from the past to even managing mild ones now

Vaccine licensing is an extensive and rigourous process that can be lengthy

There is no Vaccine created for the HIV/AIDs epidemic

References

CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

FDA – U.S. Food and Drug Administration SMJ – Southern Medical Journal - http://

journals.lww.com/smajournalonline/Fulltext/2008/07000/Religion_and_Medical_Neglect.21.aspx

WHO – World Health Organization