*READERS -- Please Read Editor's Note in the Comments*
Though the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all children receive 28 doses of 10 different vaccines by the time they are six years old, parents who choose not to vaccinate their children are not breaking the law. To date, vaccinations are not mandated for children, though all 50 states require proof of vaccines or a letter of medical, spiritual or (in some states) philosophical exemption for a child to attend school. The CDC claims that childhood immunizations saved 732,000 American children from death and 322 million kids in the U.S. from illness between 1994 and 2014. Still, an alarming number of parents are refusing to vaccinate their children, citing the potential for life-threatening side effects and rumors linking some of the immunizations to learning disorders, autism and diabetes. These parents of the "anti-vaccine" movement believe they should have the right to choose whether or not to vaccinate their children, even if this creates a greater risk of illness for the entire "herd."
Nothing But the Facts, Ma'am
- Every year since 1990, approximately 30,000 cases of adverse reactions to vaccinations have been reported to the CDC. Between 10 to 15 percent of these cases involved hospitalization, permanent disability, life-threatening illness or death.
- The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program paid, between 1989 and 2014, over $2.7 billion in awards and $113 million for legal costs in 3,645 cases of alleged harm to a child from an immunization.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics claims that vaccines are between 90 to 99 percent effective in preventing disease.
- The measles vaccine has reduced death from measles 75 percent over the past 10 years.
- The FDA requires that vaccines be tested at least 10 years prior to being licensed for use in the U.S.
- Nearly all major medical organizations claim that immunizations are safe and that serious adverse reactions to vaccinations are rare.
- Small amounts of controversial ingredients like thimerosal, aluminum and formaldehyde are still used in some vaccines. Some doctors and parents believe these ingredients in any amount may cause neurological harm, nervous conditions, heart problems, cancer, asthma, skin or eye problems, headaches, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, Alzheimer's, autism, seizure, ADD, ADHD, stroke, Lou Gehrig's, coma, convulsions or death.
- Because "herd immunity" requires a large amount of the population to be vaccinated in order to prevent an outbreak, and to protect those who are unable to be vaccinated due to health-related reasons, the growing anti-vaccination movement threatens the entire community.
- In 2011, the Institute of Medicine released a report rejecting a causal relationship between the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.
- Thimerosal has been removed from almost all vaccines, with the exception of some influenza vaccinations.
We want to know where you weigh in on the debate about vaccinations. Should immunizations be mandated by law? Should unvaccinated children be allowed in public schools? Is it fair for parents to refuse to vaccinate their kids, even if it puts your children at greater risk? Do you believe the official line on vaccines -- that they are safe and effective? Are you skeptical? Why?
Resources
CDC: Recommended Guidelines
CDC: Risks of Not Vaccinating Children
CDC: Vaccination Side Effects
CDC: Enduring Vaccine Safety
CDC: Recalled Vaccines
CDC: More Vaccine Facts
ProCon: Arguments
