The Reasons We Vaccinate

[ Healthy Living ]

BY RAMIEL N. NGEVE, PHARM.D. CANDIDATE

SPONSORED BY CANNON PHARMACY

The rise of anti-vaccination movements in recent years is posing a threat of resurgence of infections that were once deemed controlled and, in some cases, eradicated in humans. With the momentum these movements have gathered in recent times, it is essential to revisit the conversation to remind ourselves why vaccination is critically important. Most individuals contract chickenpox during their childhood and we know procurement of the virus builds lifelong resistance. Vaccines work in a similar manner; they expose the body to small levels of a pathogen so the body can produce antibodies to fight off the infection and in turn build immunity to that specific pathogen. The benefit of vaccination over natural immunity is that with vaccines, we can confer herd immunity; limiting the risk of an epidemic. Additionally, the individual is exposed to the pathogen at levels that do not incite sickness or require hospitalization thus making it a safer option while circumventing the financial burden associated with disease treatment or hospitalization.

It is essential to mention the study by Wakefield et al. published in 1998 and commonly cited by anti-vaccination movements. This study has since been retracted due to several experimental and ethical flaws; it falsely associated the MMR vaccine with development of autism. It is important to note that this study which only comprised 12 children, has been discredited by numerous scientists who have continuously found no evidence linking the MMR vaccine with development of autism. The MMR vaccine is administered to children for the prevention of measles, mumps, and rubella infections. With the growing antivaccination propaganda, we have seen the re-emergence of measles outbreaks worldwide with over 1,200 confirmed cases in the U.S in 2019, per the CDC.

Another myth associated with vaccines is the presence of “harmful” preservatives, particularly thimerosal, aluminum, and formaldehyde. Not only are the amounts of these substances in a vaccine minimal, our bodies are exposed to them at far greater quantities via foods and the environment. Moreover, as a precautionary measure, the FDA prompted the removal of thimerosal from childhood vaccines in 1999.

With the abundance and accessibility of medical information on the web in this age, it is advisable to be cognizant of unreputable sources and to utilize doctors or pharmacists as resources to obtain the trustworthy information on vaccination.