Fear Of Vaccination Research Paper

Despite overwhelming evidence supporting the safety and benefits of vaccines, fear of vaccinations has proven resistant to information leading to a rise in refusals among parents in developed countries (Dipietro). In modern society with the rapid pace of vaccine development along with new technology, the history and importance of vaccines seem forgotten, leading people to underestimate the severity of infectious diseases. “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” George Santayana. The growing resistance to vaccinations is a well-known occurrence, due to the positive effects vaccinations have had worldwide. Studying history is necessary to continue to evolve and avoid repeating the mistakes of our past. “History never repeats itself, but man always does,” Voltaire. Modern society (Millennials) do not understand the threat of infectious disease because they lack the life experience to know the devastation they can bring. Several parents have increasingly questioned the safety of vaccines, as a result vaccination rates have fallen to dramatically
Since measles was declared eliminated in the United States after January 1, 2000, there have been 18 published measles studies and more than half had no history of measles vaccination. Of the 970 measles cases, 574 cases were unvaccinated despite being vaccine eligible and 405 had nonmedical exemptions (for religious or philosophical reasons). Among the 32 reports of pertussis outbreaks, which included 10,609 individuals ranging in age from 10 days to 87 years. However, several pertussis outbreaks also occurred in highly vaccinated populations, indicating waning immunity. A substantial proportion of the US measles cases were intentionally unvaccinated. Although pertussis resurgence has been attributed to waning immunity and other factors, vaccine refusal was still associated with an increased risk for