We are lucky to be living in a world where modern medicine has largely eliminated many diseases. However, in past years illnesses such as measles which were largely eradicated have staged a comeback. This has been credited in part to the growing number of people choosing to not have their children vaccinated. In an effort to disperse the cloud of misinformation floating around the internet, here are the most common anti-vaxxer claims and the facts that refute them.
1. They aren't effective.
Since vaccines were introduced, morbidity and spread of disease have decreased dramatically. While other advances in modern science allowed people to live longer, vaccinations are responsible for limiting the transmission of these diseases. Only clean water is more effective in reducing the spread of pathogens.
2. They contain toxic chemicals
This is technically true, but misleading. What this claim refers to is ingredient lists meant to scare parents with chemicals such as formaldehyde. This claim ignores that while elements like mercury and aluminum are dangerous on their own, when combined with other elements they are useful preservatives. They also are seldom used in vaccines. While chemicals used in vaccines can be dangerous in large amounts, vaccines only contain the smallest possible amounts of these toxins.Vaccines do contain 0.1mg of formaldehyde, but that's a completely safe amount. In fact, a baby can break this amount down in about two minutes. Your own body produces 500mg per day to aid in DNA synthesis. Formaldehyde is also in many of the foods we eat, including pears.
3. They aren't necessary anymore
Some opponents of vaccines claim that because most diseases that we vaccinated for are uncommon in the western world, immunizations aren't necessary. However, it only takes a few cases to start an outbreak, as seen in the measles outbreak at Disney. Vaccinations also protect those who are vulnerable. There is a small population of people who are unable to be vaccinated, such as infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. They are protected because those around them are immunized, so there is little opportunity for outbreak. This is known as herd immunity. The more people who choose not to be vaccinated, the more risk the people who can't incur. Choosing not to vaccinate doesn't just affect you, it puts others at risk.
4. Doctors give too many vaccines at once.
Anti-vaccine activists like to tout the claim that so many vaccines at once overwhelms the body's immune system. However, the number of pathogens that children fight daily is far fewer than the required vaccinations, which generally do not contain live diseases. Administering multiple vaccines at once keeps babies safe from illnesses such as diphtheria while they are young and vulnerable.
5. They cause autism.
No, they don't. They just don't. There's nothing to cite because there are no credible studies proving that vaccines cause autism. Sorry.
Long story short, vaccinate your children. It's not just better for them, it's better for everyone. Don't let fear-mongering anti-vaccine movements use these myths to feed you misinformation.
