JEP mag

Common Vaccination Myths
Written By: Dan Hirschhorn
Myth #1- Vaccines are a cause of autism.
This false myth is widely circulated
throughout the world over many years,
and “is the cause of a major drop in vaccination
rates, which in turn caused many
virus outbreaks, some more deadly than
others. This myth is widely believed because
of the 1997 study by the notorious
Andrew Wakefield was published in The
Lancet, a prestigious medical journal,
and this study suggested that the measles,
mumps, and rubella vaccine was
the cause of autism” (Abraham para 1).
This led widespread concern from parents
all over the world, causing many to
go unvaccinated. This study was actually
retracted from The Lancet years later,
and among those who voted in favor
of the retraction were 10 of the 12 who
worked on the case. The retraction came
after reputable scientific evidence was
found after that disproved the information
within the study. With the events that
transpired, Andrew Wakefield had his
study removed, and his career ruined.
The many court cases that followed left
Wakefield unable to practice medicine
(legally) once his medical license was
revoked. The courts found him guilty of
committing fraud. We still may not know
what causes autism, but many large scientific
studies have disproved this myth.
Myth #2- Infant immune systems can’t
handle so many vaccines as they are currently
being given.
This myth is also false. A common concern,
and for good reason, is around infants
and whether or not they can handle
so many vaccines. We understand that
as parents it is your responsibility for
the wellbeing of your children. Although
many believe this myth to be true, it is not,
and infants immune systems are stronger
than many believe them to be. “Through
many tests, scientists have found that,
because of the large amount of antibodies
present within the blood of an infant,
they are able to respond to 10,000 vaccines
at one given time (theoretically).
If 14 vaccines were given at once, they
would only use up about 0.1% of the baby’s
immune system” (Abraham para 2).
The amount of vaccines given can never
overwhelm a child’s immune system because
they are constantly replenishing
cells within the immune system, so the
vaccines only benefit them. Vaccinations,
although increased in the number give,
are far more effective at doing their jobs
than they once were. Vaccinations are
carefully crafted and tested by scientists
in order to create a final product that
does not negatively react with humans
and their immune system. The goal of
vaccinations has and always will be to
prevent the acquiration of harmful and
deadly diseases and viruses. This is no
different when it comes to infants. They
to come into contact with harmful bacteria
daily, and the results are just as dead-
6 TIME May 31, 2017
Fig Raptor, The Original Skeptical. “The End of the Vaccines Cause Autism Myth.” Skeptical Raptor. N.p., 17 Apr. 2016. Web. 29 May 2017.