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During his inaugural address, President Trump committed to ensuring that “our children are healthy and disease-free.” However, his selection for the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has notably expressed skepticism regarding vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting their role in saving millions from severe illness and fatalities.
CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook remarked on “CBS Mornings Plus” that the historical context of vaccinations often goes overlooked, highlighting significant reductions in both incidence and mortality rates from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Vaccines prevent over a million childhood illness cases and more than 10,000 deaths annually in the U.S.,” he stated. When looking at global statistics, it’s estimated that childhood vaccinations save between 2 to 3 million lives each year.
Here’s what to consider regarding the effectiveness of vaccines.
Understanding Vaccine Functionality
Vaccines operate by simulating the presence of pathogens such as viruses or bacteria without causing illness. This process enables the immune system to prepare defenses against potential future infections. “The exposure provides a chance for your immune system to develop protective responses,” explained Dr. LaPook.
Your body produces specific immune responses called antibodies against the vaccine’s introduced imitation pathogen or antigen. “An antigen could comprise a modified germ that cannot provoke disease, a harmless fragment of a pathogen, or instructions that direct the body to create a harmless portion,” Johns Hopkins Medicine elaborates.
When exposed to the actual pathogen in the future, your immune system is then positioned to act swiftly to combat it. While some vaccines can effectively prevent illness entirely, others may mitigate the severity of disease upon infection. Hence, although it is possible to contract infections like the flu or COVID post-vaccination, such vaccines are crucial for minimizing the risks of severe health outcomes.
After receiving a vaccine, some individuals might experience temporary fatigue, body aches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, or mild fever as part of the body’s immune response according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. These reactions are typical and generally resolve within a few days.
The Achievements of Vaccination
Vaccinations have dramatically decreased childhood mortality rates and have nearly eradicated certain diseases that previously caused significant public health crises.
A recent study by the World Health Organization revealed that vaccines, including those protecting against polio, measles, and other common diseases, have collectively saved an estimated 154 million lives globally over the past half-century, with measles vaccinations alone accounting for approximately 94 million lives saved.
Currently, declining vaccination rates are raising alarms among public health officials as the repercussions of missed immunizations begin to surface.
“We only have to look back a short while to witness the consequences of falling vaccination rates, especially where access is limited,” noted Dr. Carolyn Bridges, the CDC’s former chief of adult immunizations. She referenced a case of polio detected in New York in 2022 as a shocking reminder of the dangers posed by these diseases when vaccination coverage drops.
“It’s astounding that we can have a resurgence of polio in a resource-rich country. It exemplifies how quickly diseases still prevalent elsewhere can regain a foothold,” she added.
The Historical Impact of Polio Vaccination
Before the advent of polio vaccines in the 1950s, thousands of Americans succumbed to polio, with many survivors facing life-long paralysis. The introduction of vaccines, particularly the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), has been pivotal in nearly eliminating the disease in the U.S.
The IPV is now included in the standard immunization schedule, with four doses recommended for optimal protection. Research indicates that two doses confer approximately 90% protection, while three doses boost that figure to over 99%.
Measles Vaccination Successes and Challenges
Despite the availability of a safe vaccine, measles cases have surged recently, primarily due to increased hesitancy surrounding vaccinations. The highly contagious nature of measles, coupled with lower vaccination rates, has facilitated its resurgence.
Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in the 1960s, the disease was prevalent, resulting in an annual average of 48,000 hospitalizations and about 500 deaths, predominantly among children.
Research indicates that one dose of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is 93% effective against measles, with the recommended two doses achieving 97% effectiveness. This level of vaccination generally ensures lifelong protection.
The Importance of Rubella Vaccination
Rubella, or German measles, poses significant risks during pregnancy, potentially leading to miscarriages, stillbirths, and severe congenital defects.
Historical records indicate that a substantial outbreak in the mid-1960s resulted in the loss of approximately 11,000 pregnancies, 2,100 newborn deaths, and around 20,000 children born with disabilities due to rubella.
Since the MMR vaccine became available in 1971, it has proven approximately 97% effective at preventing rubella after one dose.
While rubella is no longer endemic in the United States, ongoing issues persist internationally. Therefore, maintaining high vaccination rates remains crucial to prevent the reintroduction of rubella through travelers from affected regions.
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