The Great Debate

Vaccines are wonderful and prevent disease. However there are a few discussions as to whether they are safe and necessary.

Debate #1

Why should we immunize against disease is no one gets these diseases anymore?

Reasons

In fact, if we stopped vaccinating our children we would eventually see these disease such as Polio or Diptheria make a comeback. In 1974, Japan conducted as succesful vaccination program and nearly eliminated pertussis. In this time, there were only 393 cases of pertussis, and no deaths. Feeling safe and like they had overcome pertussis, the public began to feel as if the vaccine were unsafe and unnecessary. in 1979, the Japanese had 13,000 cases of pertussis, and 41 deaths! The government stepped in began vaccinating the children and once again the cases dropped.

Debate #2

The mercury in some vaccines cause Autism.

Reasons

There is a mercury agent in some vaccines that parents believe causes Autism. This agent is mercury preservative contained in the influenze vaccine.

Ethylmercury Vs. Methylmercury

All mercury is not the same. The mercury found in the earth is called methylmercury and can be toxic to humans at high levels. The mercury found in the influenze vaccine is called ethylmercury and is broken down by the body and excreted faster than methylmercury. Due to the breakdown of ethylmercury, it is said that here is less likely of a chance that there would build up in your body w

A few interesting facts from Immunize.org:

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  Mercury is found in breastmilk as well as formula. Babies who are strictly breastfed will be taking in more than 15 times the quanitity of mercury found in a single influenze vaccine.


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  In Denmark, Thimerosal , which is actually the preservative that contains ethylmercury, was abandoned and they actually saw an increase in aut

Below you will find a two part video on The Great Debate.