Thoughts on Vaccines

Over the years (and especially since becoming a father), I've heard a fair number of arguments for and against vaccination. These arguments are often heated and lack calm, logical analysis. The question is straight-forward: Are vaccines good or bad?

I like to think of vaccines a bit like wearing a seatbelt. I wear a seatbelt when I drive for a number of reasons, but primarily because it is the law and I believe I am safer when I do. Might I be in an accident and be killed BECAUSE of wearing a seatbelt? Sure. But the person who chooses not to wear a seatbelt is 28 times more likely to be killed in an accident than I am. [1]

Similarly, while it is definitely possible that I might die BECAUSE of a vaccine, I believe there are 3 great reasons to support vaccination:

1. Safety – When vaccinated, I can personally avoid many deadly diseases.
2. Responsibility – When vaccinated, I can protect those around me from these diseases. If I were to choose not to be vaccinated for a disease and then became exposed to it and a carrier, I might unintentionally expose an infant who would be much more susceptible to it than I. If that infant were to die or be permanently affected, I would be directly responsible.
3. Relief – While vaccines may occasionally have undesirable side effects, I believe that the suffering and death they prevent is well worth the trouble.

Smallpox is an excellent example of why vaccinations can be so important. Smallpox killed roughly every 4th victim and it is estimated that there were 300-500 million deaths from smallpox in the 20th century alone. Mortality rates for children were as high as 50% or more and 65-85% of victims had permanent scarring or worse. In 1967, the WHO began a campaign to eradicate the disease and did so within 10 years.

Did people die FROM the smallpox vaccine? Yes – for any vaccine (or wearing a seatbelt), there is risk. In one of the largest studies of 14 million vaccinated individuals, there were 304 who had serious side effects, 9 of which died. It is estimated that 1 in every 1 million individuals vaccinated for the first time died. [2] [3]

So does this mean that the vaccine is bad? Hardly! Unlike the 20th century, this century will NOT see close to half a billion deaths from smallpox and billions more have been saved from terrible suffering.