A Closer Look at Vaccine Safety & Regulation

Arguably one of the most successful modern medical programs, vaccinations fell prey to faulty research publication almost twenty years ago that has since left doubts in people’s minds regarding their safety and efficacy. In 1998, British doctor Andrew Wakefield published research that linked the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination with autism. Since this publication release, scientists 

Dr. Andrew Wakefield

have conducted numerous studies in an effort to refute Wakefield’s claims. The findings could not be more concrete: scientists cannot establish any link between the MMR vaccine and the development of autism (Novella). Digging deeper into Wakefield’s work uncovered that he stood to gain financially from the faulty findings he published, and his work has since been discredited. Unfortunately, this refutal did not erased the seeds of doubt and confusion that entered people’s minds. The general topic of vaccinations has become confusing over the past few years–personally, communally, and governmentally–due to faulty studies being published and loose correlations linking vaccinations to autism and other disorders being accepted as causations. The discussion surrounding vaccinations needs to be simplified, starting by providing parents with a better knowledge of vaccinations in the pediatrician's office, unifying vaccine requirements across the country, and finding a more effective solution to raising vaccination rates rather than through government mandate.

The Nature journal editorial “Spot the Difference” highlights the current ineffectiveness of vaccination rules. This topic came to many people’s attention after the 2015 measles outbreak that occurred in Disneyland. The author of the Nature article says, “Fortunately for the public’s health, attention around the outbreak has come down in favour of vaccination and against the myths about its dangers” (Spot). The positive support for vaccines due to this outbreak is a win for the medical community. The author also points out that, in relation to other parts of the world, the current outbreaks the US are seemingly unnoteworthy. In 2014, the Philippines saw more than 50,000 cases of measles reported. In comparison, the US only saw 121 cases reported. Yes, the US number is seemingly small, but I disagree with his stance that these numbers are “unremarkable”. With convenient vaccination access in the US, our disease outbreak numbers should be negligible. Although the issue of vaccinations is a growing problem in the US, we are not yet near any benchmark for public despair. In conjunction with that, there is also no need for resistance to vaccines.

Before the development of vaccinations, almost all children contracted measles at some point in their lives. In the US, it is estimated that about 3 to 4 million people were infected, and around 48,000 were hospitalized (Measles). Roughly 450 deaths occurred each year–450 deaths that are now fully preventable by the vaccination.

A look at the current number of measles cases:

Chart courtesy of the CDC website

The responsibility to regulate this has fallen upon the individual state governments, but families must recognize that the state government is not a medical authority. Many parents see the vaccine requirement laws as just another way the government is exercising authority over citizens. They look over the fact that the law exists to ensure their family’s safety and well-being. Different states hold different vaccination requirements for children entering into the public schooling system. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require DPT, Polio, Measles, and Rubella vaccinations (State). Beyond this, some states require Chickenpox, Hepatitis B, Hib, PCV, Flu, Hepatitis A, Mumps, and Meningitis. Montana has the fewest regulations, only requiring three. These varying regulations add to parent’s confusion about whether or not their child needs all of these vaccines.

For parents of school-age children, the decision to vaccinate their children comes early, with many vaccinations administered under the age of six. The administration of the two measles shots are recommended around age one and then again around age five (Measles). If parents are slow in deciding whether or not to vaccinate their child, the child will miss many of these recommended time frames, delaying the child’s shot routine, potentially affecting their school attendance. For families constantly on the move, this is a hard regulation system to stay on top of. The confusion and differences that are so evident regarding vaccines turns many parents against them all together. That coupled with the ever-circulating online articles that claim links between vaccines and autism development, it is no wonder that there is a modern day anti-vaccine movement. A practicing pediatrician Dr. John Snyder says, “While it does take a lot of effort and a lot of time, which a lot of pediatricians don’t have, I can actually explain the rationale behind why [not vaccinating] is not a good idea,” he said, “and often I’m able to change their mind” (Brown). If more pediatricians would take the time to educate their patients, resistance to vaccinations would likely decrease. Uninformed parents equate to fearful parents. It is the medical staff’s role to provide this needed information.

https://youtu.be/2LXaT8N-F50

This CNN newscast video supports the argument for better education in the pediatrician's office and also examines a specific child’s bad reaction to the MMR vaccine and the thought to be associated permanent damage that occurred.

The current regulation of vaccination is not the most effective of routes available. Many citizens today are not afraid of questioning authority. Oftentimes, government mandates produce the opposite of what they desire. A true authority figure needs to emerge on this issue. If the US desires to see any lasting disease control, the medical community will need to assume authority and take over vaccine regulation and distribution. This begins by providing better education on the topic to children’s parents early on. Ideally, this occurs in the pediatrician’s office. The next step needs to be a simplification and unification of vaccine rules and regulations across the country. It is at this level that the government may need to step back and allow the medical and wellness communities a chance to assume authority. The medical authorities should then seek legislative help for implementation, but only after making it clear to the public that ample research has been conducted to validate these rules. This most practically means requiring vaccination for public school attendance, but hopefully with less leeway for personal exemptions beyond medical reasons.



Works Cited

Brown, Karen D. “Parents Refusing Vaccines.” The Boston Globe 11 Nov. 2013: n.               pag. Print.

“Measles.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . N.p., 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 3            Mar. 2016.

Novella, Steven. “The Anti-Vaccination Movement.” The Committee for Skeptical               Inquiry 31.6 (2007): n. pag. Print.

“Spot the Difference.” Nature 518.7538 (2015): 137–138. Print.

“State-by-State: Vaccinations Required for Public School Kindergarten.” ProCon.org.           N.p., 3 Sept. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2016.