By Nate Thomas
 

To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate–that is the question:

Whether ‘tis smarter to protect your children from deadly diseases

Or to oppose vaccinations

And by opposing save your child from the possibility of Autism

 
 
There is only one problem with the latter choice, vaccinations don’t cause Autism.  “A meta-analysis of ten studies involving more than 1.2 million children reaffirms that vaccines don’t cause autism. If anything, immunization was associated with decreased risk that children would develop autism, a possibility that’s strongest with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.” (Source).  So where did this myth come from?
This panic arose in 1998, when Andrew Wakefield published a research paper in The Lancet, proposing the link between the MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) Vaccination and the development of Autism.  Since then, the research paper has been discredited due to Wakefield manipulating evidence, and breaking multiple ethical codes.  So, if all of this panic was for nothing, then why do people still not vaccinate their children?  I interviewed multiple Fitchburg State Students about vaccinations for children to hopefully get some idea.
 
Note: Some of the people interviewed requested to stay anonymous.  Out of respect for their wishes I will keep their name out of this article, and any further conversation on the topic.
 
To keep each interview relatively short so as to fit multiple viewpoints, I only asked each person 4 questions:
 
1) Do you think that parents should vaccinate their children?  Why or why not?
2)If you could say anything to, or ask anything of, the people that don’t share your opinion, what would it be?
3)Would you prefer to stay anonymous?
4) Finally, is there anything else you would like to add to close out?

Anonymous

 

• Do you think that parents should vaccinate their children?  Why or why not?

 
“Yes.  Because the risk is minor, and the benefit clearly outweighs any super minor risk.  There is no reason not to.  Also, even if they [the vaccinations] did cause autism, that is not something kids die of, so parents who are against it, are saying ‘Yes, I’d rather my kid dies of something we can prevent and endanger other children with than risk my child having autism.’.”
2) If you could say anything to the people that don’t share your opinion, or ask them any question, what would you say or ask?
“I would ask why they are so concerned.  One of the arguments against [vaccinating children] is the carcinogens inside of the shots, and there’s carcinogens in everything.  I would also ask them, if your kid had cancer with a chance to survive, would you refuse chemo?  I’m asking this because chemo has been used against cancer for about the same time vaccines have been used.  Chemo is also a poison and is used in the hope that it kills the cancer before it kills the patient.”

Dan Adorn

1)Do you think that parents should vaccinate their children?  Why or why not?
“I think that they should not vaccinate.  Chemicals in the vaccines have been known to cause issues such as autism, and other severe learning disabilities.
2) If you could say anything to the people that don’t share your opinion, or ask them any question, what would you say or ask?
“I would tell parents that do not share my opinion to research each vaccine the child would be receiving, and to ask the doctor many questions about the possible side effects.”
“To close, I would just like to say that the vaccines affect everyone differently.  For the people it does affect, it can have severe effects on their lives and their family’s lives.”
 
Nick Frederick

1)Do you think that parents should vaccinate their children?  Why or why not?
“Yes, it’s ridiculously selfish to not vaccinate your kids.  Other kids will be at a higher risk of getting diseases from yours, and yours are very likely to get diseases themselves.”
2) If you could say anything to the people that don’t share your opinion, or ask them any question, what would you say or ask?
“Your opinion is based on zero facts, and you probably got the idea off of a facebook post or a forwarded email.  Stop endangering your kids and the kids around them with your idiocy and go and vaccinate.  There are practically no side effects to doing such a thing and your offspring have a higher chance of surviving.  Why waste the efforts of doctors for hundreds of years?  Vaccines are a sign that we are progressing as a species and are able to surpass goals undreamed of before our time.  Why would you risk your kid getting the measles because you’re an idiot?  Vaccinate.”
“This shouldn’t even be an issue, it’s simply the fact that parents have the choice to not vaccinate that appeals to them.  They believe that by not conforming to the norm they are helping their kids in someway.  It’s an entirely selfish and ignorant thing for a person to do to their offspring.”

Dan Fallon

1)Do you think that parents should vaccinate their children?  Why or why not?
“I think as long as they are the appropriate ages, then yes 100%.  There is clear proof stating that they [the vaccinations] have significantly dropped the death rates through the prevented diseases, this is why we aren’t dying at the age of 30 anymore.”
2) If you could say anything to the people that don’t share your opinion, or ask them any question, what would you say or ask?
“I would tell them to do some research before spewing [expletive] everywhere.  If you even say the word autism to me [when arguing against vaccinations], I will throw some hardcore facts into your thick lil noggins showing you how stupid you sound.  If I hear the word ‘Mercury’ [from someone arguing against vaccinations], I will throw mad facts right at your dense ear holes.”
“People need to look at the number and smarten up, I’m a dirty hippy, who hates the big pharma just as much as the next guy, but this is real [expletive], that can save real lives.”
Of the 75 Fitchburg State Students I have asked, 72 students said they were for the vaccination, 3 students said they had no opinion, and only 1 student said they were against it.
Now it’s your turn.  Should children be receiving the MMR vaccination?  Why or why not?  Do you agree with the students I interviewed?  Leave your opinions and comments in the comments section below.