“Vaccine Hesitancy Endangers Families with Life-Threatening Risks”
Colleen Thomas, a mother from Indiana, shared her heartbreaking experience of her son being born with a compromised immune system. From a young age, he suffered from constant congestion and respiratory infections, requiring his mother to assist him with a breathing mask while he slept. It wasn’t until he was three years old that he was diagnosed with an immunodeficiency, making him vulnerable to severe illnesses from respiratory infections.
Despite receiving all his childhood vaccinations, Thomas worries about the impact of vaccine hesitancy, especially with recent news of a measles outbreak in Texas and the appointment of an anti-vaccine activist as head of the nation’s health department. The consequences of fewer individuals getting vaccinated are particularly dire for those with compromised immune systems, young children, individuals with complex medical needs, and older Americans.
Maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to achieving herd immunity, which protects the community from infectious diseases. Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs, a cancer and nutritional epidemiologist, emphasizes the importance of vaccination coverage to prevent outbreaks of preventable diseases in the future.
Herd immunity not only safeguards individuals with weakened immune systems but also protects those who cannot receive vaccines yet, such as newborns. Dr. Regina Davis Moss, an advocate for equitable health outcomes, stresses the significance of creating herd immunity to shield vulnerable populations.
As efforts continue to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure widespread vaccination coverage, it is vital to prioritize the health and safety of all individuals, especially those who rely on herd immunity for protection.
“We may have freedom and choice,” she stated, “but that doesn’t absolve us of consequences or the potential harm we may cause to others.” Concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy are emerging as childhood vaccination rates decrease and a movement known as “medical freedom” gains traction, advocating against government involvement in health decisions. “In all this discourse, the voices of parents who prioritize community and school health often go unheard,” remarked Rekha Lakshmanan, the chief strategic officer at The Immunization Partnership, a Texas-based nonprofit dedicated to educating the public and lawmakers on the significance of vaccinations. “These parents also have the right to ensure a disease-free society and community, a right that is often overshadowed in these discussions.”
Thomas noted that the anti-vaccine population, those who reject established medical science on vaccine safety, is relatively small. “The majority don’t share that view,” she emphasized. “However, this vocal minority necessitates a counter voice.” Erica Finkelstein-Parker of Pennsylvania shared her son Djino’s battle with liver cancer at 15, leading to a liver transplant and subsequent immunosuppressant therapy. She ensures her family is vaccinated but worries about her son’s vulnerability to widespread infections due to unvaccinated individuals. “It’s infuriating to hear people claim a right not to vaccinate,” she expressed. “It’s not a right if it endangers others.”
Childhood vaccination rates have dropped amid the pandemic, fueled by misinformation and skepticism around vaccine safety. “Vaccines are safe, effective, and rigorously regulated,” stated Jacobs, emphasizing that declining vaccinations impact community health as a whole. The organization founded by Kennedy, known for its anti-vaccine stance, actively opposed COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, despite scientific consensus on their safety.
While some individuals adamantly reject vaccines, others simply lack information and may be open to understanding the data. Lakshmanan urged the public not to conflate these groups, emphasizing that the latter group is receptive to new information. “They are genuinely seeking clarity amidst the data overload to make informed decisions about vaccinations for their children,” she explained.
An expert from a university has studied the history of racist medical research and misinformation, and how it has contributed to vaccine hesitancy among Black individuals. The expert emphasized the challenge of vaccine education in a society with a divided media landscape, where distrust of the government and the spread of misinformation fuel hesitancy.
Kennedy’s confirmation hearings raised concerns about his past anti-vaccine activism and refusal to debunk the myth linking vaccines to autism. As the new Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, Kennedy expressed interest in reviewing the childhood vaccine schedule to address health issues.
While Kennedy oversees vaccine research and approval, he lacks the authority to overturn vaccine mandates set by states. Some states are moving to weaken vaccination requirements, with Louisiana halting mass vaccination promotions and other states considering broader exemptions for parents.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, there is a fear that vaccine hesitancy may increase, fueled by social media and other platforms. Experts stress the importance of calling out misinformation on vaccines and holding policymakers accountable to protect children’s health above political interests.
Moving forward, experts advocate for culturally relevant vaccine education tailored to diverse communities, utilizing credible messengers to engage parents and dispel myths. Individuals like Finkelstein-Parker, who tragically lost her daughter to measles, are active in promoting vaccination through various channels.
Despite challenges, advocates like Thomas, whose son overcame health issues, continue to support vaccination efforts through community outreach and advocacy.
S is concerned about the families and friends in her community whose children are facing similar vulnerabilities as her son did when he was a young child. She urged mothers, in particular, to seek out information based on science. “If they don’t take the time to visit the doctor, truly listen, and ask questions, they might be influenced by misinformation,” she pointed out. “It’s not because they intend to be neglectful or harm their children. They are just doing their best for their kids, and we end up being manipulated by this.” This article was created by The 19th, and it was reviewed and shared by Stacker.
