Introduced in 1988, the polyvalent MMR vaccine immunises against measles, mumps and rubella. There has been a great deal of controversy with regards to the MMR vaccine, including links to febrile seizures, autism and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the vaccine has proven extremely effective in preventing contagious viral infections.
The MMR vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and two doses are required for complete protection of children, and in some circumstances, adults. Through artificial active immunity, an immune response is triggered due to antigens in the vaccine. The alternative to artificial active immunity and the use of vaccines, is natural and passive immunity. This involves acquiring the active infection to trigger an immune …show more content…
However, such seizures are short-lived and rarely lead to long-term health problems. As with all vaccines, there can be minor symptoms, including fatigue and mild fever. There have been records of symptoms such as permanent brain damage, deafness and thrombocytopenia, but these cases are rare. There are instances when the MMR vaccine should not be administered, such as, in the immunocompromised, pregnant women or if an individual has a life-threatening allergy to any component of the vaccine. These circumstances leave a substantial number of individuals relying on herd immunity to protect them against these diseases. For this reason, “the decision to be vaccinated represents a social dilemma: a conflict of interest between the private gains of individuals and the collective gains of a society” (Brito, Sheshinski, Intrilligator, 1991).
In 1998 Andrew Wakefield published an article claiming the MMR vaccine caused autism and inflammatory bowel disease. However, following numerous studies, no scientific evidence was found to prove this statement. Regardless of this, such articles in the media led to a decrease in the number immunised children.“Parents with such concerns should be educated and reassured that the reports by celebrities and the media where such concerns were raised have no scientific medical credibility.” (Toy et al., 2005). This media hoax is a key reason why outbreaks of a vaccine-preventable infection continue in the 21st
The MMR vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and two doses are required for complete protection of children, and in some circumstances, adults. Through artificial active immunity, an immune response is triggered due to antigens in the vaccine. The alternative to artificial active immunity and the use of vaccines, is natural and passive immunity. This involves acquiring the active infection to trigger an immune …show more content…
However, such seizures are short-lived and rarely lead to long-term health problems. As with all vaccines, there can be minor symptoms, including fatigue and mild fever. There have been records of symptoms such as permanent brain damage, deafness and thrombocytopenia, but these cases are rare. There are instances when the MMR vaccine should not be administered, such as, in the immunocompromised, pregnant women or if an individual has a life-threatening allergy to any component of the vaccine. These circumstances leave a substantial number of individuals relying on herd immunity to protect them against these diseases. For this reason, “the decision to be vaccinated represents a social dilemma: a conflict of interest between the private gains of individuals and the collective gains of a society” (Brito, Sheshinski, Intrilligator, 1991).
In 1998 Andrew Wakefield published an article claiming the MMR vaccine caused autism and inflammatory bowel disease. However, following numerous studies, no scientific evidence was found to prove this statement. Regardless of this, such articles in the media led to a decrease in the number immunised children.“Parents with such concerns should be educated and reassured that the reports by celebrities and the media where such concerns were raised have no scientific medical credibility.” (Toy et al., 2005). This media hoax is a key reason why outbreaks of a vaccine-preventable infection continue in the 21st