VACCINES ELIMINATE DISEASES
Vaccines are responsible for the total elimination of debilitating infectious diseases like Polio and Smallpox. Vaccination of infants against diseases of childhood are public health strategies that are among the most universally successful approaches.
However, failure to vaccinate children out of fear of increasing the risk of Autism has led to a resurgence of measles, an infection that we had eradicated. There is no solid scientific evidence showing childhood vaccinations increase rates of autism. Similarly, many folk refuse to get a seasonal flu shot. While no vaccine is 100% effective, millions of Americans fail to get the vaccine and this results in tens of thousands of people dying every year from the flu, mainly the elderly and people with other medical conditions.
VACCINE MYTHS
I was stunned a few days ago to read on Facebook that people were making claims that a research study showed that folks who had received the flu vaccine were more likely to contract COVID-19. This is simply not true. It resulted from misinterpretations of studies by people who are not scientists or medical professionals. This myth is rapidly spreading across social media within black networks. Many of these folks have pledged never to get a flu vaccine as a result of this. It made me wonder if these people would get a coronavirus vaccination if there was one available.
So while it is not uncommon for a medical intervention developed to help us having unintended consequences, it is important that good research and science help us tease this out. It is very common for misinformation to circulate in our communities and this can have negative health consequences for us. In the next article, I will discuss the potential for a SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19) vaccine and the science surrounding this quest. In the meantime, stay safe!
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Understand that the states that are opening up their businesses and relaxing protective policies are doing this against the recommendation of medical and public health professionals. PLEASE continue to stay at home, practice social distancing and handwashing and wear a face mask when you go out!
