Dr Akumtoshi
Treasurer Indian Academy of Pediatrics Nagaland NRP FGM NNF state coordinator
In 18th century Europe it is estimated 400,000 people per year died from smallpox infection, and one-third of the cases resulted in blindness. These deaths included those of at least five reigning monarchs. In the 20th century it is estimated that smallpox resulted in 300–500 million deaths. These deaths came to an "END" with the development of vaccines by scientists who risked their own lives discovering it (unlike anti-vaxxers who gives comments without any real research from their comfort zone).
But with the coming of the "internet" era there has been some parents who casually surf the internet and unknowingly fall into the same "trap" the West once fell into and become anti vaxxers (person who is opposed to vaccination). Some people after going through the internet get so convinced by the Lies of anti-vaxxers that they even preach in the church not to vaccinate ,which is very dangerous.
In USA before the vaccine became available in the 1940s, 200,000 people in the U.S. had pertussis every year. The number of cases has been rising again since the 1980s because parents in the US are refusing to take vaccines such as DTaP and Tdap shots. In 2012, there were 48,277 cases—up from 1,248 in 1981. More than 60 babies have died from the disease in recent years in the US. Even infections like measles,mumps and congenital Rubella infections are on the rise in US because of parents refusing vaccination.
“A very vocal few Canadians – perhaps two per cent of the population – hold anti-vaccine views" and try to influence parents against vaccination which is out-rightly dangerous.
In the magazine "Parents" Dr.Boom says - Parents who don’t vaccinate truly believe they’re making a decision in the best interest of their child. “However, they’re doing a risk analysis in their head without any idea of how dangerous these diseases can be.” She blames the widespread rumors and misinformation online. in the same magazine Dr. Offit thinks the fear is more visceral. After all, many of us have had to soothe a feverish baby after a day of vaccinations and it’s not fun. “People see their child being laid down against her will and injected with four or five shots at one time,” notes Dr. Offit. “It’s not hard to understand why parents push back.” But at the same time, as a parent I can never imagine to loose my child to one of the life-threatening disease that vaccination can easily prevent.
Some reasons anti-vaxxers (person who is opposed to vaccination) give are-
1."They would rather let their child get a natural infection". But vaccination works like "insurance". You better be prepared before it comes,because one can never be sure who gets infected and when.
2."Vaccines Cause Autism". I’m not really going to go into this, because it has been refuted time and again. Virtually every study who haven’t been convicted of fraud, has shown that there is no link between vaccines and autism. It was a valid concern in the early 90s, but we have 30 years of evidence showing that autism is in no way linked to vaccines.
3."There Hasn’t Been Much Research". This is always a bit of a weird one. They try to show that vaccines are basically poison. This is simply a lie told by vaccine-deniers to make parents scared. Vaccines are one of the most well-researched interventions of all time. We have data from literally millions of children across the world demonstrating their safety.
4."Vaccines are costly". Actually speaking vaccines are cost-saving. What this means is that for every Rupee you spend on vaccines, you get about seven Rupees back because you stop people from getting sick and dying from their illnesses. Generally speaking, it would be much more profitable for the medical industry to not vaccinate, because treating disease would be much more profitable to health care providers than vaccinating.
5."Vaccine Injury Is Common/People Are Getting Sicker". "Every year, people are getting sicker. And it’s all down to vaccines." No,we aren’t getting sicker. Not even a little bit. Life expectancy is marching steadily upward, with some people predicting that we will be living past 100 in this century. Not only that, but infant and child mortality is at record low. This isn’t just true for wealthy countries mind you — the entire world is getting stubbornly healthier.
6."It has human DNA/particles". What a reason not to vaccinate. The blood that is given to sick people contain a huge Junk of DNA and anti vaxxers try to scare people of the few particles of DNA that vaccines have. If so, blood donations/transfusions have to stop too.
7."Diseases had already begun to disappear before vaccines were introduced, because of better hygiene and sanitation". Statements like this are very common in anti-vaccine literature,to suggest that vaccines are not needed. Yes,sanitation,better nutrition,and lower birth rates have decreased the number of infections. But looking at the actual incidence of disease over the years can leave little doubt of the significant direct impact vaccines have had, even in modern times.
8."The majority of people who get disease have been vaccinated." Another false statement. In fact it is true that in an outbreak those who have been vaccinated often outnumber those who have not — even with vaccines such as measles, which we know to be about 98% effective when used as recommended.
In conclusion, please vaccinate your child; adults too may need it. At least give the free vaccines that are available in the government hospitals, if affording optional vaccines are not possible.
There are vaccines adults and women who anticipate pregnancy should take too if missed earlier. If unfortunately one still remains anti-vaxxer, One should not try to influence other rational thinkers.
