Write an essay on Vaccines do not cause autism by Heyworth (2011)
Vaccines do not cause autism
From the research conducted by Kelley King Heyworth, it indicates how the medical
community at large is in support of childhood vaccination. From the study, there aroused
arguments against the use of vaccines since it was believed to cause autism but Heyworth
disagrees with them by proving that vaccination is not in any way connected to autism. Based on
the information provided by the doctor in Heyworth statement, the connection between
vaccination and autism is coincidental due to the immunization schedules and the diagnoses
carried out on autism. This was because the rate at which the disease is high is the time when
most of the children are at a younger age and this is the time when they are exposed to
vaccination. Therefore, Heyworth warns parents who refuse to vaccinate their children with the
fear of autism are at a high rate of endangering them. This exposes their children to other
diseases such as whooping cough and measles. The whole community must work together to
ensure that such cases are minimized in the whole community to prevent the community from
experiencing common diseases such as measles and whooping cough that can be prevented
through vaccination. The unvaccinated population tends to be weak and un resistance to common
diseases and therefore, it is upon the parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated at the
right age. This is supported by the article written by Heyworth to parents and all group concern
in his magazine enforcing them to accept vaccine and avoid the comparison between vaccination
and autism.
Running head: VACCINATION VS AUTISM 2
Based on the research carried out about vaccination, the Centre for Disease Control and
Prevention in line with the American Academy Pediatrics, they advocated for the vaccination of
children 2 years and this prevents them from 14 more diseases, which attacks those who are not
vaccinated. The government also agrees with Heyworth in that all children under the age of two
be vaccinated to prevent them from common flu in future and other related diseases. The
government has strongly educated the public about the importance of immunization whereby the
government considers it as the most achievement in the health sector. Many parents still doubt
about vaccination despite the reassurance provided by qualified doctors who have provided
evidence concerning the importance of vaccination. The disgusting thing is that even educated
and dedicated parents also opposes vaccination terming it as the major cause of autism ( David,
2010).
The government has been able to attain a total of 76% in vaccination by 2008 although the target
is 80%. In some nations, parents do skip the shot by not taking their children’s for vaccination.
They base their arguments on religious beliefs and philosophical examples which is against
vaccination and also using the state laws which demands that all children be vaccinated before
getting admitted to nursery schools. In U.S, the emerged diseases have been taken control by
vaccination thereby reducing chances of children by exposed to other related diseases. In order
for the whole community to get protected from this kind of disease, more than 80% of the
children must be vaccinated to avoid the spread of other diseases. This statement was supported
by pediatrician Lane Rodewald who is the director of immunization Service Division.
Running head: VACCINATION VS AUTISM 3
Reference
David P. ( 2010). Clark Germs, Genes, & Civilization: How Epidemics Shaped Who We Are
Today. Upper Saddle River.