Since the discovery of vaccines, millions of lives have been saved. So why have immunizations received a bad rap since the late-90s? It all stems back to a faulty research study conducted by former gastroenterologist and medical researcher Andrew Wakefield. His research results stated that a link existed between the MMR vaccine and Autism. However, it was later learned that the study was faulty and unethical. Studies conducted after on hundreds of thousands of children showed that no link exists between vaccines and Autism. Although there are some very minor risks involved, in comparison to the advantages they are greatly dwarfed.
The importance of providing your child with lifesaving immunization cannot be understated. There are hundreds of research articles in existence to help guide your decision. There are also some podcasts that provide a summary of the history and value of immunizations. A great podcast that provides the history, partly through humor, of immunizations is Sawbones. Here's the link to the relevant episode: http://www.maximumfun.org/sawbones/sawbones-vaccines.
What are your thoughts on immunization? Are you within the age to remember Polio's devastating effects before immunization or the flu?
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