The Measles Vaccine: Should governments force parents to vaccinate their children?
Introduction
“In 2013, there were 145 700 measles deaths globally – about 400 deaths every day or 16 deaths every hour.” Measles is “an infectious viral disease” leading to severe fever and a chicken pox-like rash coating the skin. Many of the sources discussing this topic had biases favouring a utilitarian approach, leaning to the decision which betters the economy and commits to an outcome promoting the government. To fully understand this topic and provide a sound argument, a detailed understanding of measles itself and the objectives of vaccinations is necessary. “19 out of every 20 people” require vaccinations in order to protect the 5% unable to be vaccinated. Known as herd immunity, an increase in anti-vaxxers causes rapid growth in the unprotected percent. Fear of induced autism by vaccines is showing various cases of measles appearing in countries once being measles-free. “Measles was eliminated from the United States in 2000 due to widespread immunization with the [measles] vaccine.” By 2008, the disease was deemed a threat again and now sees around 430 deaths per day worldwide. The topic of forced vaccinations has sent groups of the medical center to different ends of the spectrum, with sufficient evidence supporting both sides.
Robert Pearl’s aunt died at the age of 6 due to measles, allowing his loss to get in the way of reasoning. The risk of experiencing issues with the vaccine is 1 in 40,000, whereas 1 in 333 people who contract measles suffer from a fatal outcome. MD, Andrew Wakefield, published a paper showing a relationship between autism and the measles vaccine. Later on, the paper was retracted due to false information. There are no credible studies which relate autism and the vaccination today. The anxiety held by parents about their children conducing autism has lowered vaccination rates to record-low levels, bringing up risks to the public. Due to allergies and certain medical conditions, a small percentage of the population cannot be vaccinated. The chance of the small percentage coming into contact with measles is nearly zero with the entire able population vaccinated. Herd immunity is a necessity for the population, proven by a 23 percent measles-infected population with an under-immunized society. Refusing vaccines as an able body puts an unfair risk in the hands of those who cannot protect themselves. By putting aside personal belief, the public’s health can be strengthened and measles can be eradicated. No family should have to experience the loss which Pearl went through.
Pearl uses appeal to pity to back up his claim more than research, claiming that nobody should go through the pain he suffered. His article runs dry of viable evidence, speaking mostly from an opinion based off of observations and assumptions. His belief of forcing vaccinations stems from his personal loss, again, placing observations before research.
Toronto is currently victim to six cases of measles. Toronto demands proof of a measles vaccination before attending school, but fail to hold this law before religious and personal reasons. Dr. Kumanan, physician and scientist, believes the laws make good, and if a stubborn parent does not want their child vaccinated, the child will not be vaccinated. Children without the vaccine are forced to stay home in the event of an outbreak. Dr. Monika Naus states that in order to have a population with high vaccination rates, a mandatory system is required. The problem is parents believing the vaccine will cause harm to their child or it serves no purpose. Forcing vaccinations would have opt-out options done by submitting a doctor-signed form stating the doctor explained the risks that come without vaccinations. The option would pull people on the fence to the other side. However, an aggressive system pushes people away from government-run areas and into alternative options, potentially causing an outbreak. Unless such laws are in place, the vaccine coverage will continue to decrease. Australia runs a system offering less tax benefits to parents who fail to vaccinate their children, and the benefits can reach around $7,300. To receive the money without a vaccinated child, parents must hear out a doctor read the benefits and risks that come on the topic of vaccinations. In Australia, 89 percent of Australian children were immune to measles, an increase from 74 percent in 1999. When the population of vaccinated two-year olds drops below 95%, the group’s immunity is significantly lowered.
Of course, big news stations favour options to benefit the country and the government. This article contains backed-up support for mandatory vaccines and hears the opinions of respected individuals in the medical field. However, both doctors work under and with the government, putting pressure on them to support the less harmful decision.
Mark Bertolini talks about how we cannot force measles vaccinations but instead should try and raise awareness of how serious of an issue it is. He says it is a public health issue and that mandating vaccines isn’t the only way to solve the measles outbreak. Even though President Barack Obama encourages vaccinations, many believe in free choice. Due to strong believers of freedom of choice and the illogical fear of vaccinations, 102 people from 14 states reported being victim to measles in January alone. The outbreak was linked to Disneyland, a strong attraction for children.
Bertolini is obviously biased towards the side of mandating the vaccine due to the fact that he works for a health insurance company. If people didn’t take the vaccine it would end up costing his company a huge amount of money because they would be paying the bills.
Doctors explain 7 false, yet commonly believed, ideas surrounding vaccinations and their dangers. One or two people are quoted, many of them doctors, for each erroneous fact about measles including that vaccinations cause autism, that those who have been vaccinated can still spread measles and that the vaccine is more deadly than the disease. Further, one doctor argues against the notion that the vaccination issue is a political one as widespread vaccination has bipartisan support. Dr. Diane Griffin of John Hopkins University explains that immigration is not the cause of increased measles cases in America but rather that the principle factor is non-vaccinated Americans visiting foreign countries and contracting measles. Another doctor clarifies that delaying a vaccination is not a safe action as scheduling plays into the safety and efficacy of the vaccination. An American politician is quoted explaining that, while vaccine insurance is present for rare, dangerous cases, for the vaccine is for the most part safe.
This article comes from NBC News (National Broadcasting Company), a respected and trustworthy source, and draws quotes from many doctors, which we assume are to be trusted as well. Further, when discussing the idea of politics surrounding measles, a politician is quoted, someone who is most likely well-versed and knowledgeable on the subject. It is worth mentioning that a large company such as NBC may not want to publish something contrary to popular ideas to maintain their position, we feel that they are to be trusted due to their quotes from doctors well-versed in the matter of vaccination. The bias, however, must be considered, as, in a country like the United States with a private health care system a doctor could see a little more profit if more people receive vaccinations. All in all, we trust this source and believe it offers good insight on multiple facets of the vaccination debate.
While those born before 1970 are considered completely immune to measles due to exposition to the disease, today vaccines offer 95% safety with one vaccination and 99% if one receives the recommended second vaccination. Vaccination rates see 95.2% of Canadian children receiving the first vaccination and 94.9% receiving the second. However, 4 separate cases of measles have been found in Canada. This is pinned on both lack of attention to receiving both vaccinations and philosophical backlash.
This article is also form a large news source, CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), and we believe it is a trustworthy source. Furthermore, the vaccination numbers come from a Public Health Agency of Canada survey, which we believe can be trusted for its numbers although there is a slight possibility of people being dishonest or not being certain of their child’s vaccination status on surveys but we believe the numbers are to be trusted. This article offers a bit of information about the effect of the measles vaccine debate on vaccination rates and on the disease and vaccine themselves.
Conclusion
When considering each of the five linked articles, the risks posed by non-vaccinated peoples are evident, but the counterargument can be understood as well. First of all, some numbers regarding vaccination rates were explained as approximately 5% of people are unable to be safely vaccinated for measles due to medical conditions, this is why no numbers near 100% vaccination. Further, one can understand how the existence of an insurance for those receiving the vaccine could raise eyebrows, but simply reading on the subject shows that this is for extremely rare cases of post-vaccine complications. In addition, even an emotion filled article in the case of Robert Pearl’s story, death due to sometimes laziness and largely because of a try for freedom seems quite ridiculous. However, while many people believe mandatory vaccinations are the simple solution to the issue, it was reported that lengthened discussion with doctors, detailing the benefits and risks of the measles vaccines after refusals gains more support than forcing citizens, which likely would see more backlash. We see communication and clarity between doctor and patient as the most important step toward safety rather than forceful laws. Perhaps the most viable option would be a mandatory discussion for all parents of children that are to be vaccinated, whether or not they are opposed to the idea. It may be needed to make post-refusal necessary to ensure those that are willing to take the risk of non-vaccination understand the extent of their decision. Meanwhile, while the issue remains, we believe the refusal of non-vaccinated children, excluding those who are not able to receive it, to attend regular schools due to the risks it poses for the other children. Although herd immunity can suppress the disease, those denying their children vaccines by their own choice make the number of non-immune people too large to remain safe. Therefore, an explanation and discussion between doctors and their patient’s must be increased to build trust and ensure that people understand the potential consequences of their choices, including that their children may not be able to attend regular schools to ensure public safety.
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