“For my mother, her love and affection and care as a parent was used to push an agenda to create a false distress. And these sources, which spread misinformation, should be the primary concern of the American people,” – Ethan Lindenberger, teenager who self-vaccinated on the anti-vax movement.

In recent years, a movement against vaccinations (anti-vax) has taken place not only nationally, but worldwide.  Thousands of parents have opted against immunizing their children against preventable diseases due to possible safety concerns. This has raised an alarm among health officials as infectious disease outbreaks have grown in recent years.  

Those that subscribe to anti-vax sentiment believe that vaccines cause illnesses like autoimmune disorders and autism as well as infant deaths. This led many parents to refuse to vaccinate their children because of their lack of confidence in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, thinking they were fueled by profit, not health care. 

Instead of circulating statistics and research, personal anecdotes of grieving parents who have experienced tragedy convince others to believe the same. Vulnerable parents who have just lost a child have largely been influenced by this misinformation.  Social media has allowed for the dissemination of unfounded studies.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States is experiencing the greatest number of measles cases in a single year in 27 years, with rates growing by nearly 559 percent.

The most commonly cited study in the anti-vaccination movement is that of Andrew Wakefield, a former physician turned anti-vaxxer who supposedly found a link between the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. This vaccine is given to young children to prevent these diseases. However, this study that has since been discredited, has encouraged many parents to turn against vaccines to protect their kids against autism. And, opponents of immunizations point to the fact that they are not 100 percent safe. 

However, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) does extensive testing to ensure vaccines are safe for the public and these studies have proven their effectiveness. The public should take advantage of this life saving tool and has even led some unvaccinated teenagers to get vaccinated despite it being against their parents’ wishes. 

Ethan Lindenberger’s story, in which he decided to vaccinate himself at the age of 18 against his parents’ wishes, has gone viral.

According to Lindenberger, other teens have reached out to him to learn about vaccinating themselves.  

In reality, vaccines are a valuable asset to human health and they prevent millions of deaths.  In fact,when the majority of a population are immunized they experience “herd immunity”, which lessens the chance for entire schools to experience a wave of viral infection.  The chance of a regional outbreak are thus marginalized and the reason most schools require students to be vaccinated. 

The new generation of parents must be mindful and sift through the misinformation to ensure the safety of not only themselves but the people around them. 

Dear editor, 

I disagree with them having to give their children vaccines.  It should be their choice if their child should be their choice if their child gets it or not.  They shouldn’t make it mandatory, but they should have to take vitamins and eat healthy.  

-Senior, Jenna Paige-Smith

Dear Editor, 

I totally agree with your sentiment.  Though anti-vax parents mean well, they don’t realize the danger they are putting their child through.  Due to misleading studies, parents are largely uneducated on this issue. Leaving people ignorant on the importance of vaccinations is the worst thing we can do.  

-Senior, Marina Hlouveraleis

Dear Editor, 

I disagree because not being vaccinated doesn’t always mean that, you’re 100% going to get that illness.  IF the vaccination may cause other more uncurable outcomes, vaccines aren’t as safe. I don’t think people should be looked down on because they may not be vaccinated either.  

-Senior, Samuel Hester

Dear Editor, 

I understand anti-vax prevents point of view, but I agree that parents should vaccinate their children.  There is a lot of controversy over vaccines and their relation to autism, but it is my understanding that children with autism are born with their disorder, not given it. It is also important that anti-vax parents recognize that by not vaccinating their children they put other kids in danger.  Ultimately, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to vaccinations, and for children’s safety I strongly feel that all parents should do this.  

-Senior, Kendell Spriggans