Anti-vaccers

The view that vaccinations are harmful and should be avoided has emerged fairly recently. The belief seems to coincide with several other anti-establishment and anti-technology attitudes, such as the 5G phobia. To a veterinarian, scientist and, I hope, clear thinker, the belief is irrational. The science of vaccination is well-established and widely proven and I have no wish to reverse what has been achieved over the past century in the control of infectious diseases either in humans or animals. However, given the passion of the anti-vaccers it is worth pointing out a few of the salient facts in the argument.

Firstly, the proponents of this belief are mostly healthy young or middle-aged people. It is likely that they were vaccinated against all the common diseases as children, as their parents would have been intensely interested in their survival and welfare. For example, the horrors of the polio epidemic are still remembered by the older generation – there are many who still bear the disabilities of the infection, and the development of the polio vaccine was welcomed with great relief.

Secondly, although the anti-vaccers may claim their superior immune systems, and the ingestion of various vitamins, minerals and other ‘wellness’ remedies, will enable them to cope with any infection they come into contact with, they forget that they are also protected by the 80% of the population who are vaccinated. With a high level of immunity in the community, diseases have difficulty in spreading. The 20% of refusers benefit and survive because of the behaviour of the 80% of rational citizens.

Thirdly, I presume that, because of their beliefs, the anti-vaccers will refuse to vaccinate their children, thereby reducing the overall level of immunity in the community over time, and if the beliefs persist, endanger further generations. Given the importance of Public Health, and the safety of others, it would be rational to insist that all children are vaccinated against the common childhood diseases before they are allowed to attend pre-school and primary school. Adults can refuse to protect themselves, but the community cannot allow vulnerable children to risk becoming infected and to endanger the health of their peers.

It’s a pity we cannot transport the anti-vaccers back to the 17th and 18th centuries to experience the misery of unchecked infections, disabilities and premature deaths. We have come a long way since then, and no rational person would want return to those conditions.