In the early days before vaccines became widespread, infectious diseases posed a significant threat in America, claiming the lives of millions of children and leaving numerous others with lasting health complications.
Over the last century, vaccines have all but eradicated once-dreaded diseases like polio and measles, substantially lowering the impact of many others. However, the present day sees a reversal in these victories as vaccines face growing skepticism and hesitancy, resulting in a resurgence of preventable diseases. This trend is exacerbated by notable figures, including some public officials like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., casting doubts on well-established vaccines. Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine stance, has now taken on a federal health role, which has further fueled these suspicions.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, observes, “This hesitancy and questioning of vaccines arise from their very success. Vaccines eliminated these diseases, so if you’re unfamiliar with the illness, you lose respect and fear of it, and consequently, the value of the vaccine is underestimated.” Meanwhile, anti-vaccine advocates target the minimal risk of side effects posed by vaccines, neglecting the far more significant dangers of the diseases they prevent and the wealth of evidence confirming vaccines’ safety.
Real-life stories from individuals who have experienced the impacts of vaccine-preventable diseases shed light on the issue.
For instance, Janith Farnham, 80, reflects on the implications of contracting rubella during early pregnancy before a vaccination was available. Her daughter Jacque, now 60, was born with congenital rubella syndrome, leading to lifelong health challenges including hearing, vision, and heart issues, compounded by conditions such as diabetes and arthritis over the years. Janith, who remains closely supportive of her daughter, feels frustration towards those who forego the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella, saying, “I know what can happen. I just don’t want anybody else to go through this.”
Furthermore, Patricia Tobin recalls an enduring memory of finding her 6-year-old sister Karen unconscious from measles complications in 1970. Back then, measles vaccinations were not mandatory in Miami schools, leading to Karen’s tragic death from encephalitis after a measles outbreak. Today, while vaccination for school-aged children is largely required, exemptions are on the rise, partly attributable to a debunked study linking the MMR vaccine to autism.
Similarly, Lora Duguay remembers her battle with polio at just three years old in 1959. Her experience of being quarantined with a fever and paralysis left lasting effects, even as treatment helped her regain mobility for some time. She now suffers from post-polio syndrome. Polio’s fear-inducing nature led to high vaccine uptake at the time, and today’s more effective vaccines have prevented its spread, but the story remains a caution of what can happen without widespread immunization.
Lastly, Katie Van Tornhout lost her newborn daughter Callie Grace to whooping cough at only 37 days old, as the infant was exposed to someone who hadn’t received a booster vaccine. Katie’s experiences have steered her towards advocating for vaccination, sharing her heartbreaking journey to prevent others from facing similar tragedies. “It’s up to us as adults to protect our children. I watched my daughter die from something that was preventable… You don’t want to walk in my shoes,” she expresses.
These stories reflect the critical role vaccination plays in not only individual health but also in broader public safety. The built-in safety nets of vaccines have facilitated healthier communities and reduced the burden of diseases that were once commonplace and devastating. To continue these public health achievements, widespread confidence and compliance with vaccines are necessary.