History and Controversy Behind Immunizations
From as early as the 15th century, people all over the world have worked tirelessly to prevent illnesses. The concept of immunization dates back to ancient civilizations in China, India, and the Middle East. The earliest recorded form of vaccination can be traced back to 200 BCE when smallpox was intentionally exposed to healthy people to combat other illnesses (World Health Organizations). Later in 1776, Edward Jenner, an English physician discovered that cowpox viruses could protect against smallpox. This discovery pioneered modern vaccination and laid the groundwork for 20th century vaccines for a range of infectious diseases such as polio, diphtheria, tetanus, influenza, and measles.
Despite that much has been accomplished in the field of immunization, there are controversies regarding the safety and efficiency of vaccines. Although vaccines undergo rigorous testing, some people are extra precautious about the side effects that come with being vaccinated due to ingredients in vaccines such as preservatives and adjuvants. A now-debunked study in 1988 connected MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines to autism concerned many people and the myth continues to influence people's perception on vaccines. Recently, the COVID-19 vaccine had raised the concerns of Americans and even had a strong influence on politics and religion.
The controversy that surrounds immunizations in the modern world has divided Americans’ opinions on public health implications. Although vaccinations are open to anyone, only twenty three percent of Americans have chosen to not undergo them (Penn Today). According to professor Robert Aronowitz in the Department of History and Sociology of Science, the public reaction toward each vaccine is based on the condition it treats. For instance, controversies regarding MMR vaccines stem from beliefs that it causes autism. Sometimes, split opinions on vaccines are not about politics. Vaccine hesitation around Lynne disease originates from a lack of understanding what the disease actually is. Often enough, people are misinformed or uneducated about diseases to have confidence that a vaccine will work to treat the disease (OMNIA).
By Bianca Shen