Hello everyone.
This week, I'm going to break down the two sides of the argument. The topic I have chosen, "Children should not be allowed in schools (or pre-schools) unless they are fully immunised", while contentious, has still proven difficult to find a fair breakdown of the debate. There is a wealth of information and studies showing the safety, effectiveness and need to be vaccinated. But, as mentioned in my earlier blog, the opposition has been more elusive.
The most recent controversy in the world of vaccine debates has come from a so called documentary film, called Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe, (Bigtree, D.M., & Wakefield, A.J. 2016). Wakefield and (some) supporters of the Vaxxed film claim they are not anti-vaccine, but just pro-choice. Most are just full on anti-vaccine. The film's marketing claims "The film they don't want you to see". The film's premise is alleging the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) was involved in a cover up that destroyed evidence and hid data that showed a link between autism and the MMR vaccine. It revolves around two retracted studies that showed this link. They claim to have a whistle-blower within the CDC that is coming out and telling the truth. This is a quote (not included in the film) from their CDC insider, Dr. William Thompson (Carey, M. 2017),
I want to be absolutely clear that I believe vaccines have saved and continue to save countless lives. I would never suggest that any parent avoid vaccinating children of any race. Vaccines prevent serious diseases, and the risks associated with their administration are vastly outweighed by their individual and societal benefits.
Is this the information the Vaxxed crew don't want us to know? As Dr Thompson mentions, there are risks involved, because in science and medicine alike, nothing is perfect. Some people may be allergic to certain ingredients for instance. These people that can't be vaccinated are the ones that rely on the rest of the community to be immunised. However, all risks considered, there have been plenty of studies showing there is no link to autism.
The other reference I will use here is from a recent study explaining the importance of herd immunity and maintaining a high coverage rate to protect the population (Hayman, D.T.S., Marshall, J.C., French, N.P., & Carpenter, T.E., 2017). With New Zealand being such a desirable country to live, learn or work, with families emigrating here from all over, we are exposed to people from outside our highly immunised population. Other countries are making the same effort in trying to eradicate these diseases, but it has to be a global effort in such a connected age.
Hayman, D.T.S, et al. showed that younger children are at a much higher risk of measles, particularly 0-2yrs and 12-17yrs. The efficacy, or effectiveness, of the MMR vaccine is increased when the children have had both doses, otherwise the likelihood of infection and subsequent outbreak is increased. The study found that this was true for the majority of the cases from 2007-2014. In fact, 82% unvaccinated and 17% were from children vaccinated only once.
The herd immunity coverage rate is 95%, which means that 95% of the population must be immunised to prevent the spread of Measles. Because of this herd immunity, it means that vaccinating is not a personal choice that only affects the individual, it affects the entire community, all the people that can't be vaccinated due to legitimate medical reasons.
It's clear to me that making full immunisation a compulsory part of schooling in New Zealand is the logical step to eradicating these infectious, preventable diseases.
References:
Bigtree, D.M. (Producer), & Wakefield, A.J. (Director). (2016). Vaxxed: from cover-up to catastrophe [Documentary]. USA: Cinema Libre Studio
Carey, M. (2017) A look back at the so called "CDC Whistleblower" story and how Vaxxed is misleading Retrieved from https://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2017/02/10/a-look-back-at-the-so-called-cdc-whistleblower-story-and-how-vaxxed-is-misleading/
Hayman, D.T.S., Marshall, J.C., French, N.P., & Carpenter, T.E. (2017). Global importation and population risk factors for measles in New Zealand: a case study for highly immunized populations. Epidemiology and Infection (145) 1875-1885. Retrieved from https://www-cambridge-org.ezproxy.massey.ac.nz/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/global-importation-and-population-risk-factors-for-measles-in-new-zealand-a-case-study-for-highly-immunized-populations/AA7A61E06F421945937D0BCB01DD11A8
4 comments:
Hi Shaun,
Really enjoyed this blog this week! I'm finding your blogs really interesting. Personally I had always thought it was a given just to get your children immunised! I had never thought of the fact that some people are highly against it.
It's really awesome to read your blogs because they're always so informative and keep us as an audience engaged and interested. Keep it up!
Bridget
Hi Shaun,
It is terrifying to know there are people out there putting thier kids at risk over immunizations.
I am also struggling to find an opposition to represent with real facts and acknowledged references.
I really like your end statement, it clearly shows your stance on the debate and closes the post well.
Jade.
Hey Shaun,
Another great blog mate, I always find them interesting, this one especially. I have two children so these type of topics tend to hit home.
I have witnessed your level of research simply by communicating with you through social media as a group and it's clear that this topic has meaning and great interest to you. That will be a strength for you as your writing will be passionate, which should hold the reader's attention well.
I look forward to reading the position paper and future blogs.
Ryan
Thanks, everyone.
Ryan, I know what you mean about having children. When you find out these things, that there are people out there that believe that vaccines are bad or even that doctors are bad, it can be terrifying. Nothing's perfect. This is one of the topics that has been hit hard by the internet. Anyone and everyone can write things on the internet, or make a website. And anyone can read those things, even if they're not correct or skewed or biased.
Bridget and Jade, I agree completely! Up until a few years ago, I thought everyone knew that vaccinating was the safer option and one of many things that we take for granted living in a developed country. But, unfortunately, not. It was a complete shock to me to find that there was an anti-vaccine crowd out there, or (a less negative term), pro-disease.
Shaun
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