Letters to the editor from Nov. 25 2019 | Letters To The Editor - Sharonherald

LETTERS

Misinformation about vaccines threatens public health

Hannah Gallagher

Hermitage

Going into the healthcare field, I feel it is my personal duty to promote the health and well-being for as many people as possible. What has been deemed one of the most significant public health achievements in history now has an untrusting, questioned effect by many parents, which has resulted in diseases coming back into circulation that were once eradicated. One of the biggest factors that cause controversy regarding vaccinations is the myth that vaccinations cause autism.

One specific contributor to this movement is Andrew Wakefield and an article, published in the The Lancet British medical journal, which discusses possible links between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination and autism. Although this article is no longer available, lingering doubt is still popular among many. Wakefield’s article suggested that the MMR vaccine may predispose children to behavioral regression and developmental disorders.

There were flaws in Wakefield’s study, including a small test sample, uncontrolled design, and an uncertain conclusion. Years after the article was published, evidence emerged that Wakefield had falsified his data linking the vaccine with developmental disorders. The Lancet retracted Wakefield’s article and he subsequently lost his license to practice medicine.

However, despite scientists proving Wakefield’s claims false, MMR vaccination rates lie below the recommended 95 percent participation.

Despite the recent controversy there has been no medical evidence that supports the claims of autism being caused by vaccinations. As a nursing major, seeing preventable disease re-enter circulation raises questions for me. Teaching by healthcare providers is key for a safer, healthier future by reducing the stigma against vaccinating one’s child.

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