Essay: Do the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the disadvantages?

The controversy over vaccines dates back to the 1800s, which is close to the time when vaccines were initially discovered, and the controversy continues today.  There are many different reasons why the criticism began including religious beliefs, sanitation, safety, and politics. Today, one of the most common reasons for the vaccine controversy is the harmful chemical ingredients used to create the vaccines and the alleged debilitating side effects.  Through my research, I will provide more details into the history of vaccine discovery and development, take a deeper look into the side effects that have been associated with vaccines over time, and evaluate the impact vaccines have had on society and the economy. I will use my research to determine if the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the disadvantages.  (History of Vaccines)
1. History of Vaccine Discovery and Development
A few of the first diseases that were discovered and named were the mumps, diphtheria, and jaundice.  These were first clinically described by Hippocrates around 400 B.C.  Since that time, hundreds of different vaccines have been invented for various other diseases such as tetanus, smallpox, polio, rabies, influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis, diphtheria, and anthrax.
Edward Jenner was one of the first to publish a theory around inoculation with a related virus.  In 1798, he put his theory into action by testing it on a child with smallpox using liquid from a pustule of a similar virus called cowpox.  His theory turned out to be correct and Jenner named his new procedure ‘vaccination’.  (immunize.org/timeline)  The vaccination process, especially for smallpox, quickly became the most common widespread practice for the treatment of many diseases. (historyofvaccines.org)
In 1853, mandatory vaccination began for infants.  The Vaccination Act of 1867 changed the mandatory age requirement to 14 years.  This Act also implemented punishments for parents who refused to vaccinate their children. The mandate only made the controversy worse and jump-started anti-vaccine coalitions. (historyofvaccines.org)
Louis Pasteur was another great vaccination inventor.  In 1884 he developed the first rabies vaccine and in 1885, he was the first to use the vaccine in humans.  Pasteur went on to establish a treatment center for rabies as well as a research and training institute.  The Pasteur Institute was the birthplace of several other vaccines including one for the plague.  Around the same time the Pasteur Institute was established, a serum against diphtheria was also developed by Emil Von Behring who later won a Nobel Prize for his work on the antitoxin. (immunize.org/timeline)
Around 1902, the Biologics Control Act was established to regulate vaccine producers.  The act put requirements in place for manufacturers to obtain a license and receive inspections to ensure the safety of their products.  Many companies went under because of the new regulations but the manufacturers that remained benefited from the smaller competition pool.  Not long after, many different vaccine licenses in the U.S. began being issued for illnesses such as rabies, typhoid, pertussis, diphtheria, and yellow fever, and influenza. (immunize.org/timeline)
Around 1922, the United States issued the requirement for children to be vaccinated against smallpox before they could attend school.  This requirement, similar to the Vaccination Act of 1867, was met with opposition and many felt that their Fourteenth Amendment rights regarding equal protection were being violated.  However, it was determined that the requirement was within the rights of the law and the school vaccination requirement was enforced.  (historyofvaccines.org)
In 1945, the mumps virus was isolated and in 1954, the measles virus was isolated.  By the 1960’s, vaccines for both diseases were established.  In 1949, the last case of the smallpox virus was reported in the US.  In 1952, the worst polio epidemic in US history was recorded but by 1955 the first polio vaccine was licensed by Dr. Jonas Salk.  Also in 1955, the Polio Vaccination Assistance Act was enacted by Congress.  The act allowed Congress to provide funds to the CDC (Communicable Disease Center) to help states administer the polio vaccine to their residents.  In 1962, President John F. Kennedy established the Vaccination Assistance Act which allowed the CDC to support campaigns and maintenance programs for all types of vaccinations and in 1963, a grant program was created to provide funds for states to purchase and provide DTP, polio, and smallpox vaccines. (immunize.org/timeline)
In 1964, a committee was formed to review the recommended immunization schedule for childhood vaccinations.  The committee was responsible for noting changes in vaccine formulations and revising the recommendations for the use of already licensed vaccines as well as newly licensed vaccines.  They were also responsible for making necessary changes to the schedule as appropriate. (immunize.org/timeline)
Also in 1964, a rubella epidemic spread throughout the US affecting over 12 million individuals and killing thousands of infants.  By 1969, three rubella virus strains were licensed in the US.  In 1966 and 1967, eradication campaigns were launched for both the measles and smallpox viruses.  In 1971, the CDC discontinued routine vaccinations for smallpox in the US and in 1977 the last case of naturally-acquired smallpox was reported.  In 1980, the World Health Organization declared smallpox officially eradicated. (historyofvaccines.org)
In 1981, the pneumococcal vaccine officially became a covered benefit under Medicare Part B and in 1984 hepatitis b also became a covered benefit.  In 1986, the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act was established.  The act established an adverse reporting system for US licensed administered vaccinations and required all healthcare providers and vaccine manufacturers to report adverse events to the Department of Health and Human Services.  (immunize.org/timeline)
In 1988, a program was established to compensate individuals or their families due to adverse events that led to injury or death, the World Health Assembly established a plan for eradicating polio by the year 2000, and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) was created to help regulate biological products and therapeutics.  Also in the 1980’s, hepatitis B, rabies human diploid-cell, haemophilus influenza, and oral typhoid vaccinations were licensed. (immunize.org/timeline)
In the 1990’s, several vaccinations were recommended for use in infants and children including Hib conjugate vaccines, routine hepatitis b vaccine, and booster doses of inactivated poliovirus, oral poliovirus, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.  Several new licenses were established for diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, acellular pertussis, Japanese encephalitits, a combined Haemophilus influenza type b and DTP vaccine, inactivated hepatitis A, Lyme disease, and a rabies vaccine and in 1998, Phase III of an HIV/Aids vaccine was started.  In 1994, the Western Hemisphere was officially certified as eradicated from the polio virus and by 2002 the European Region of the word was also certified polio-free. (immunize.org/timeline)
Throughout the 21st century, many new vaccine discoveries and dosing recommendations have been made.  In 2000, the measles were no longer considered a significant threat in the US and in 2005 rubella was also no longer considered an endemic.  After the September 11th attacks, several programs were established to help protect the United States from potential warfare including the development of new vaccines for public health need.  In 2004, a final report was issued providing evidence supporting the fact that there is no relationship between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.  (immunize.org/timeline)
In 2008, measles outbreaks in the US increase, mainly due to individuals that had not been vaccinated.  The measles virus continues to be a threat throughout the world as does the polio virus; however, the reported cases are considerably lower due to the efforts and programs supporting the eradication efforts and worldwide vaccine availability.  In 2006, the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) plan was established as the first ever ten-year strategic plan for getting more people immunized against infectious diseases between the years of 2006 and 2015.  In May 2012, the Global Vaccine Action Plan was endorsed as a follow-up to the GIVS plan and set new goals for the next decade of 2011-2020. (immunize.org/timeline)
2. Side Effects and Vaccine Safety Arguments
Over time, it is clear to see that there has been extensive research and development of vaccines.  It also seems that all of the different types of vaccines have helped reduce the occurrence of many types of viruses and diseases, otherwise vaccine discovery and development would have been terminated a long time ago.  But what about the negative aspects of vaccination?  What about the chemicals used to create these so-called ‘modern miracles’?  Do vaccines help more than they harm?
The main goal of vaccinations is to eradicate the harmful disease altogether; however, true eradication requires a large level of immunity from populations all around the world for extended periods of time.  The immunity levels must also be monitored frequently and closely.  More common than eradication is disease elimination.  This is where a disease is eradicated locally but could potentially be re-introduced from someone outside of the immediate community.  For both of these scenarios to occur, vaccination must take place; however controversy surrounding vaccination safety has long been a challenge of the success of vaccination programs. (who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/2/07-040089)
Neil Miller, a medical research journalist and father, believes certain diseases were on the decline prior to vaccine introduction and that vaccines cause devastating side effects.  Through extensive research, Miller discovered some interesting evidence against the benefits of vaccines.  He found that in several instances, vaccines actually appeared to make the disease outbreak worse.  For example, studies done between the 1930’s and 1950’s show that cases of polio quadrupled after the introduction of diphtheria and pertussis vaccines.  Another example is the Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) virus.  Rate of occurrence of this disease increased 400 percent during a period of mass use between the 1940’s and 1980’s.  Miller’s research also shows other studies done on diseases such as measles, diphtheria, pertussis, Hib, and Hepatitis A have shown to cause debilitating side effects such as asthma, multiple sclerosis, learning disabilities, and sudden infant death syndrome.  (miller)
Ingredients in certain vaccines such as thimerosal, formaldehyde, and aluminum hydroxide have been shown to cause negative side effects when introduced to the body and some believe these types of chemical ingredients are linked to autism, neurological harm, and cardiac impairment. However, the amount of these ingredients used in a vaccine dose is so small that no harmful side effects would be expected. (vaccines.procon.org)  Thimerosal and formaldehyde are used in vaccines to kill potentially deadly bacteria and as preservatives to extend the shelf life of the vaccines which reduces manufacturing costs.  Aluminum hydroxide is used to help the body absorb the actual drug in the vaccine that prevents the disease. (herlihy and hagood)
Thimerosal, a preservative used in certain vaccines, is composed of mercury.  As most individuals are aware, certain levels of mercury in the body can be dangerous or even deadly.  This is one of the main fears that parents have had in the past regarding safety of vaccines; and although thimerosal has been removed from the vaccine ingredient list, parents are still concerned about all of the other chemicals.  For example, famous model and actress, Jenny McCarthy, believes that because her “newborn baby was handed to her pre-vaccinated with a band-aid on his foot”, he developed Autism.  She does not believe vaccines are bad and that they should be eliminated; however, she does believe that the chemicals used in vaccines are toxic and that the schedule of vaccines is too extreme.  In fact, when discussing unvaccinated communities and outbreaks of polio, she says of herself and other parents, “If you give us a safe vaccine, we’ll use it”. (content.time.com)
As part of my research, I interviewed a teacher at Coats-Erwin Middle School, Kelly Norton.  When asked if she had children, she said no but if she did, she would have them vaccinated.  Also, since the government mandates vaccination prior to starting school, when asked about her safety she agreed that it does make her feel safer to come to work.  Knowing that the children have been vaccinated reduces her chance of contracting a vaccine preventable disease.  When asked for her opinion on parents having the freedom to choose whether to vaccinate their child or not, she said that parents should have that choice; however, if they choose not to vaccinate they should have to find an alternate form of educating their child other than the public school system.
A few others that I interviewed were Mandy Veller, Tammy Atkins, and Nikki Feltenberger whom all work for the same pharmaceutical company that manufactures vaccines.  When asked if vaccines are safe, all three responded with a yes answer because as pharmaceutical employees, they know the great lengths their company goes through to ensure a safe product and the regulations put in place by government bodies designed to keep the public safe.  Also when asked about their company policies regarding informing the public of potential side effects of vaccines, they all believe that they work with people who care about the product they make and the safety of those people who receive the vaccines.  They believe their company, as well as other vaccine manufacturers, inform the public of all known side effects and potential reactions that could come from receiving a vaccine at any age.
Many studies have been performed by the Institute of Medicine proving that there is no link between vaccines and autism but Robert Stephens, a pediatrician in Seguin, Texas states that in his experience, “people who are anti-vaccination are not particularly open to having their minds changed”.  (Moftah, ibtimes.com)  Many people believe that because more children are being diagnosed with autism annually that vaccines are to blame.  While it may be true that more children are being diagnosed, vaccine supporters believe this is simply because of an increase in autism reporting.  There are many side effects that are reported after someone has been vaccinated; however, it is important to realize that some of these side effects could just be the result of a coincidence.  It is not uncommon for children to develop rashes, colds, or viruses from general exposure and because these illnesses occur around the same time they receive their vaccinations, the symptoms are sometimes blamed on the vaccine itself.  (healthychildren.org)
Specific studies have also been performed on the link between the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).  There is no scientific evidence to support the link between the two and most researchers believe that SIDS deaths are occurring at the same rate as they would be without the vaccination.   (healthychildren.org)
If we are unable to change the minds of individuals that think vaccines are harmful or if we abandon the efforts of making vaccines more easily assessable globally, we may never be able to fully eradicate some of the most deadly and debilitating diseases.  Americans travel all over the world every day, especially to places where preventable diseases are still part of everyday life, and if they did not receive the proper vaccinations prior to their travel they could very easily contract a disease and bring it back to the U.S. (cdc.gov)