In my life, vaccines have become a big debate. I encounter people all the time that has something to tell me, a strong believer in vaccines, that they are the least helpful medical treatment or preventative measure. So I ask them why? Why do you think that, and what evidence do you have? (I obviously don't ask them like that, it is more in a conversational, "bar talk" casual tone). Most people tell me, "well it causes more harm than good." To which I respond, "okay, expand on that." The only thing they can tell me is that they always get sick after receiving a vaccine, such as the flue vaccine. WELL YES, that is the typical outcome of receiving a mild form of a virus into your body to build your immune system.
To me, vaccines are important for the population. It is a preventative measure that was designed to help stop deadly diseases, such as the now eradicated smallpox. The thing with vaccines is that they must always be improving them as well, such as with new cases of the flu that gets stronger (this year's flu, for example, which has been hitting people hard) needs to have updated vaccines for such situations. Hence, why it is recommended to get the flu vaccine every year around flu season.
Those who don't believe in vaccines might have a mind over body situation, or they may think something along Carl Elliot's ideals of conditions or disease. I'm not saying that people who don't believe in the effects of vaccines are diseases, I'm saying that some may think vaccines are nonsense and it's all in your head. "What's the point in getting a vaccine of a disease that isn't even around anymore?" Well according to the recent measles outbreak, there is a point. People have their many reasons as to why they don't want to get vaccinated or vaccinate their children, the "it's not necessary" motto is the one I feel most strongly about since that mentality can affect many people in the long-run.
I do agree somewhat with you. I do think that vaccines are important in some cases, but not all. I have personally have had the flu vaccine, yet get sick. Not right after getting the vaccine, but during the time when the flu season is hitting hard on people. So I see no use of getting the flu vaccine because you end up getting it, most of the time. I believe that vaccines have a mind over body situation, because the mind is what controls what your body reacts to, in this cause to the flu. If you have the mind thinking that vaccines are going to always protect you from diseases, then your body might react to what you have in your mind. But if you have the body reacts to the disease and end up getting it even after getting a vaccine, then your mind will start thinking that vaccines don't work and your body will continue having a negative reaction to diseases.
ReplyDeleteWhat really speaks to me in all of this is the fragility of 'facts.' Defended against data (against the 'expand on that'), the belief just holds steady.
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