Why are Vaccinations Important?
Back in March, we debunked some myths around vaccinations. We discussed vaccination side effects, the idea that they can cause autism, and their importance. We also highlighted the reasons that a minority of people still refuse vaccines.
With much of Australia going back into lockdown, and the government’s announcement that the COVID-19 vaccine is our ticket back to normality, we are going to take a more in-depth look at vaccinations in general.
First, we want to explain why vaccinations are so important.
Please remember that official advice, especially surrounding COVID and other novel diseases, is constantly changing. We are posting this blog in July 2021, and it is likely that further guidance will be published after this time.
The importance of vaccination: their reason to exist
The undisputable reason that vaccinations are so important is that they save lives. The reason that vaccinations were initially created was to combat diseases that were causing death and horrific symptoms in increasing numbers.
If you are unaware of the symptoms of diseases such as polio, measles and diphtheria, a quick google should be enough to convince you that eradicating them was paramount.
While no medical professional is claiming that vaccinations have no side effects, there is simply no comparison between the widespread suffering caused by infectious disease and the minor and unlikely side effects caused by vaccines.
We will explore these side effects later this month, but for now we are mentioning them to highlight the severity of the symptoms we are now lucky to know so little of.
Quote from Seth Burkley, epidemiologist & founder of International Aids Vaccine initiative
Vaccinating the healthy to protect the vulnerable
Something that has become very clear during the pandemic is that the healthy and privileged have a duty of care to the vulnerable and oppressed. In economics, that might be taxes or charitable giving, but it is much simpler in healthcare.
To reach herd immunity and eradicate an infectious disease, most people must be vaccinated. While 100% vaccination rates are desirable, there are many vulnerable members of every community that should not receive vaccinations.
People with certain underlying health conditions or allergies to medication might be told not to receive certain vaccines, so they rely on people who can be vaccinated doing so.
Quote from Eula Biss, Author of 'On Immunity'
How do we know that vaccinations work?
Various scientific studies have proven the effectiveness of vaccinations, but why should you believe those scientific studies?
Scientific studies are rigorously controlled (meaning they account for and remove any variables that might affect an outcome, other that the variable being tested) using random samples (people that specifically represent the population being studied).
They are also peer-reviewed, meaning multiple other experts in the field must scrutinise any study before its results are allowed to be published. This is to avoid fraudulent and poorly controlled conclusions (such as the autism-vaccination link) being published to the public.
Finally, every scientific study is based on previous research in that field. That means that each set of findings builds on previously discovered evidence, allowing our knowledge in any field to progress gradually and accurately.
Quote from Charles Darwin in The Descent of Man
Proof that vaccination works: healthier countries with less disease
To conclude our discussion of how important vaccination is, here are just a couple of the countries that have effectively wiped out certain infectious diseases thanks to vaccination programmes.
India was certified as polio-free in 2014, just 5 years after making up 50% of the world’s cases. Polio causes fever, fatigue and muscle weakness, and in serious cases paralysis. It causes a person to waste away and is highly contagious, but vaccination has eradicated it from most of the world.
Austria is a country with one of the highest vaccination rates for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in the world. Its high rates of vaccines have eradicated this group of infectious diseases by 99%. Severe cases of TBE can cause the brain and spinal cord to swell.
For information on the prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases, the World Health Organisation have published an interactive chart. Select a country from the drop-down menu to see if cases of some of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases have dropped.
We hope that this article will help you to make informed decisions, as well as understanding the benefits of widespread vaccination programmes. If you have any concerns around vaccinations, reach out to your GP who will be happy to have a chat.
Felicity Thompson
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