WRIT340 Extra Credit: Full Vaccination
Five Surprising Moments in Vaccine History
Anna Rothschild’s article clearly recounts the history and development of vaccines, along with a few surprising facts. Her article was published in 2019 by the Washington Post, potentially in response to the growing anti-vaccine movement. Rothschild is a credible expert on science journalism, with years of experience working for the Washington Post and recognition from the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS). Beyond her work at the Post, Rothschild creates educational content on her YouTube channel the grossscienceshow. Given Anna Rothschild’s credibility, readers of Five Surprising Moments in Vaccine History may gain reliable information about vaccines, which they can use to reflect on their own beliefs for (or against) inoculations.
The article features concise, easily digestible paragraphs and includes three brief videos for a quick and engaging read. We are first introduced to the concept of early inoculations, where they originated, how they were initially made, and their role in overcoming deadly diseases. Through her writing, Rothschild addresses common questions and concerns regarding vaccinations, effectively dispelling myths surrounding the topic.
The 5 key facts about vaccines presented by Rothschild include:
Before vaccinations, people performed “variolations” to immunize themselves.
Aluminum is added as an “adjuvant” to strengthen our immune response (since the dead germs are so weak on their own)
The anti-vaccine movement dates back to the 18th century.
Early vaccines were simple and gross, like taking scabs to open wounds.
After vaccine laws dramatically changed and became more popular in the 1800s, smallpox was eradicated!
The three videos each cover relevant topics regarding vaccination, starting with the anti-vaccine movement. We are shown clips of protests and news articles denouncing vaccines for “links to autism” and “side-effects” which are not scientifically true. Interestingly, this “anti-vaccine” movement is nothing new. In fact, the “anti-vax” movement began far before the term was coined on social media. As early as the 1800s, many were skeptical and doubtful about inoculations. Back then, variolations were administered through open wounds and scabs, which would help the patient build immunity to the virus. This method seems unsanitary but proved effective in eliminating smallpox (completely). However, before smallpox was completely eradicated, there were many who criticized the practice of immunization. At first, many did not understand the science behind how vaccines work and thus were uncertain about getting immunization. However, even after inoculations became slightly more sophisticated and immunization became mandated by law, there were still groups who chose not to get vaccinated. Ironically, a decline in the smallpox epidemic, due to the rise in vaccinations, led many to believe they didn’t need to get vaccinated. It was during the worst smallpox outbreaks that the anti-vaccine movement grew weak, and many were vaccinated. The video concludes by explaining how complete immunization led to the eradication of smallpox. Since viruses like smallpox need a human host, the herd immunity that comes from mass vaccination drastically reduces the likelihood of an epidemic.
The second video more closely examines the ingredients in vaccines, which are often the focal point of skepticism among some parents, contributing to the rise of vaccine hesitancy and the anti-vaccine movement. We then see a clear example of why vaccines are truly amazing: diphtheria. Diphtheria is a potentially lethal disease that brought significant concern to families in the 1800s. Today, we no longer need to worry about Diptheria as a result of vaccinations. The vaccines developed in the 1890s to fight against diphtheria are the foundation for modern vaccinations. These vaccines began with antitoxins, a serum that gave temporary immunity to patients with diphtheria. After incredible technological advancement, scientists were able to create an inactivated version of the toxin called a toxoid. This set the foundation for modern vaccines: we use weak versions of germs to bring about an immune response. The tetanus and diphtheria vaccines today still use toxoids to strengthen our immunity. The vaccines became more advanced when scientists discovered how to use adjuvants to increase our immune response. Since toxoids are so weak, the immune system doesn’t necessarily create a strong reaction. However, with the introduction of adjuvants, like aluminum and formaldehyde, scientists realized that the body would create a much stronger immune response. These adjuvants are still used in some modern vaccines, which is one of the primary concerns among the anti-vaccine movement. However, the actual amount of these adjuvants is very minimal and is believed to be safe by scientists. Despite scientific support for these adjuvants, the “anti-vax” community believes they are linked to autism in early childhood development.
The third video delves deeper into the controversy surrounding vaccines and autism, continuing the discussion on the topic among those opposed to vaccination. The conversation about whether vaccines are safe has been long-standing. Early inoculations were not regulated and risked contamination. To combat this, the government passed the Biological Control Act, which set the groundwork for safe and trustworthy vaccines. Today, the FDA regulates vaccines through a strenuous process to ensure their safety. Vaccines are required to be tested in several rounds by volunteers to ensure the vaccine is working and not resulting in unwanted effects. It is only after these three rounds of testing that the FDA will approve vaccines to be released to the public. Even after being approved, the NIH continues to study the effect of vaccines on people over a long period of time. For instance, scientists have analyzed the measles vaccine on patients who have received it over long periods of time. While there are some rare side effects with the measles vaccine, none of those include autism. Furthermore, all of the real side effects of the measles vaccine are symptoms of measles itself, if not more severe. The only reason the belief that vaccines cause autism is so widespread is one initial newspaper article and a flurry of support through online communities and forums.
The conversation about vaccines and the backlash against them stems from complacency and a lack of direct threat from diseases that have been mostly eradicated with the help of vaccines. However, if the anti-vaccine movement grows too large, there is a risk that many of these diseases will come back. It is only through herd immunity in our society that we are able to live our lives without worrying about diseases like measles or polio. After reading Rothschild’s article and watching her videos, I feel more knowledgeable about what vaccines are, how they work, and why it is incredibly important for everyone to get vaccinated. While my perspective on vaccines has not dramatically changed, I now see a greater urgency to resolve the misunderstandings surrounding vaccines. If the anti-vaccine movement grows too rapidly, it could compromise the herd immunity that society worked so hard to build over the last century. Losing herd immunity could have dramatic consequences on public health in both the short and long run. For these reasons, I highly recommend Anna Rothschild’s article to those skeptical of vaccination. Not only does Rothschild eloquently explain the history of immunization, but she also explains the ingredients, risks, benefits, science, and regulations that go into making a vaccine. She does an amazing job of providing context, dispelling counterarguments, and finally providing her own argument for why vaccines are essential.
The discussion of vaccination in this article is an incredible example of critical thinking. In breaking down the complexities and challenges of vaccine development along with milestones, challenges, and misconceptions, and providing scientific explanations, Rothschild encourages readers to critically assess multidimensional information about vaccines. Not only is the author thinking critically when providing this information to us, but she also prompts the reader to think critically about their own understanding and potential misconceptions about vaccines. We are also led to think critically about the backlash against vaccines, and how this anti-vaccine movement has grown over the years. Ironically, it seems that it is a lack of critical thinking that led to the popularity of this movement. This article challenges readers to stop blindly following what they read in news headlines or social media posts by providing context, scientific analysis, counterarguments, and alternative arguments. This multidimensional analysis of the topic of immunization gives the reader an example of how to critically assess information and create thoughtful conclusions.
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