Influenza. Measles. Polio. In the year 2018, diseases we once thought controlled, or even dead in some cases, have found new strength and presence when it was entirely avoidable. The uninformed choices of a few have now put at-risk an unassuming and unconsenting public, and it all stems from ignorance.
The history of this movement can be traced back to multiple roots. One of the first major anti-vaxxer activists to catch the public eye is model and actress Jenny McCarthy, whose son was diagnosed with autism in 2005. Blaming vaccinations on this diagnosis, McCarthy added fuel to the “anti-vaxxer” movement. Others have jumped on this unfortunate bandwagon since, and the effects are obvious and deadly.
Deformities and death. They’re the driving buzzwords in this campaign. But a movement like this causes nothing but harm to those involved and those around them. I’m not trying to argue that the fear makes no sense: it’s a chemical cocktail injected directly into you through a sharp needle after what is usually a brief, general description of what the cocktail contains. But failing to follow up on research and believing that vaccines are a mysterious danger, or worse, part of a government conspiracy, is no excuse.
The anti-vaxxer movement has already played a role in the spread of preventable disease. We’re seeing Measles in the UK and Whooping Cough in the US, when they could be avoided entirely. The Vaccines Work website has an interactive map of the impact of preventable disease. We cannot allow this to continue, as this movement pointlessly places everyone in the line of fire of the worst diseases.
The CDC has the facts and statistics about vaccines and their makeup on their website, and have never made it any secret what doctors are injecting patients with. While some might freak out at the sight of “Formaldehyde” or “Aluminum” appearing on this list, they’re key ingredients in the vaccine’s makeup. Dr. Jeffrey Weiser told Time “Just because something in large quantities is bad for you doesn’t mean something in small quantities is.”
It’s important to note why vaccines are so often stressed as the cornerstone for a healthy society: the diseases they protect against are no laughing matter. From diseases that are well known to target young children like Chickenpox and Whooping Cough, to monsters like the Flu, Hepatitis A and B, and Polio, the consequences to skipping out on your shots are ever-present and waiting for just one missed vaccination to endanger the health and safety of you, your loved ones, and the people you make contact with.
A campus is a prime example of a dangerous setting if just a few in the crowd aren’t up-to-date on their shots. Campuses like NC State’s consist of a couple thousands strangers bumping shoulders everyday, so diseases can spread quickly. There are opportunities on campus for students to get their shots for Flu, HPV, and other nasty bugs to help fight against or flat-out prevent them.
Students have the perfect opportunity to help combat this misinformed movement. People my age already went all out telling everyone they know and their brother to go vote earlier this month, resulting in an unusual midterm turnout. Just a fraction of that same energy would be enough to reach the eyes and ears of many Americans who have irrational fears of vaccinations. With such a strong social presence, our generation could be the one to stop this dangerous crusade.
Thus, the idea of “anti-vaxxers” is a talking point that responsible Americans should never let die out. It’s one thing for people to believe the Earth is flat or we faked the moon landing, those are equally unbelievable notions but should be regarded as battles for another day. This is matter of public safety, and being misinformed is no excuse. One of the responsibilities of a functioning society should be to combat ignorance and misinformation, especially in matters of public health and safety like this. Vaccines are one of our best weapons against disease, and their opponent do nothing but risk harm to everyone.
