Since the mid-1700s, the anti-vaccine movement has had a huge following all over the world. Beginning in France in 1763, people began to distrust vaccines and the medical practices that doctors would implement. This is because medical standards in the 18th century were quite different from our standards now. However, over hundreds of years, medical knowledge has improved tremendously. Thus, it seems hard to believe that some people still disagree with vaccines despite the scientific evidence to back them up. Here are some reasons why the Anti-Vaccine Movement is harmful:
Encourages Pseudoscience
One of the biggest reasons behind the anti-vaccine movement is the false notion that vaccines cause autism in some children. This stance was purported by Dr. Andrew Wakefield in 1998. However, Dr. Wakefield’s research involved faulty data and he was “set to benefit from lawsuits based on his research.” Currently, the original study that started this debate has been retracted. To this day, medical research has not found any link between vaccines and autism. In many parts of the western world, medical professionals have found a decline in vaccinations because of Dr. Wakefield’s discredited research.
More Outbreaks in Diseases that Can Be Prevented
This year in the Pacific Northwest, more than 50 people have been infected with measles, an infection that can easily be prevented with a vaccine. With the rise of anti-vaxxers, there have been more outbreaks of diseases that can be prevented such as the measles and whooping cough. These diseases are incredible contagious, so it is vital that parents vaccinate their children so that these diseases do not resurface. By not vaccinating your children, not only are you putting your child at risk, but you are putting dozens of other children at risk. With all of this said: get vaccinated!