Feature: "Facts vs No Vax

The following was written for an exercise as part of a class at Indiana University's High School Journalism Institute (HSJI).

Facts vs No-Vax

The anti-vaccination movement has become more prevalent in recent years. People who are a part of this movement are known as ‘anti-vaxxers’, and they have faced severe backlash over their choice not to vaccinate their children. A recent outbreak of mumps at Indiana University can make one question the true necessity and accuracy of vaccinations.

“I wish that everyone would choose to get [their vaccinations],” Susi French, Director of Nursing at IU, said. “[But I respect that] individuals have been given that choice.”

Many anti-vaxxers choose not to vaccinate for a variety of reasons. Most believe they cause a wide range of health problems and do more harm than good. Specifically, there has been a lot of talk that there is a connection between vaccinations and autism. However, there is no medical proof that suggests this is true. A majority of these anti-vaxxers do not have any scientific or medical qualifications to back up these beliefs, leaving almost all their theories unproved.

However, most of these people are just confused, likely trying to protect their children from what they believe to be a serious threat. Instead of hating on these confused parents, why not educate them on the facts?

During this outbreak, IU fielded 50 cases of mumps. It is suspected that the outbreak originated in a fraternity, which produced 14 of said cases. Standard procedure for such a serious disease starts with a test to confirm infection. From there, the IU medical team works with the person, retracing their steps, searching for a possibility that the person had exposed someone else.

If the test comes back positive, French reaches out to everyone that person has class with, testing them as well. However, rounding up all students who have been exposed proved to be difficult.

“This was really hard because sometimes [students] were infectious before they showed symptoms,” French said.

Adara Donald, a rising junior at Indiana University, spoke to us about her experience during the outbreak. As an RA, she felt the stress of her 16 residents who were relying on her. She personally didn’t know anybody who was infected, but she still took extra precautions.

“I found myself being overly cautious with health things, I started taking vitamins more often,” Donald said.

47 people out of the 50 who were diagnosed during the IU outbreak were vaccinated yet they still contracted the disease. The recommended dose for the MMR vaccine is two shots, however, this only leaves the person 88% protected from mumps, measles, etc. This calls into question: is vaccination really worth it?

Many anti-vaxxers would see this statistic and say it only proves their point. Vaccines are not 100% effective, someone who may have taken all the precautions and gotten vaccinated is still at risk for exposure.

Donald said, “I don’t personally agree with the theologies behind anti-vaccination but I kinda rather my kid have autism than the measles, than the mumps, than the plague.”

As of fall 2017, IU Admissions requires official medical documentation proving they have had their MMR, Tdap, Meningitis, Tuberculosis, and chickenpox vaccinations by the second semester of their first year. According to their website, Indiana law IC 21-40-5 requires students on residential campuses to provide proof of their immunization status.

“I believe everyone has a right to not take a vaccine,” French said. “We have rules here at IU that if someone hasn’t taken the vaccine for whatever reason... They are not allowed to go to class and may be suspended from other activities.”

If this recent outbreak at IU has shown anything, it’s that vaccines are almost never 100% effective. Is it so bad to hate anti-vaxxers who believe it isn’t worth it if they still might contract it in the future?