How has the

word, "Vaccine”,
changed over
time?

Daisy GonzalezAlanis

Arizona State University

Abstract

– In this presentation, I will converse about the debate regarding how the word,
“vaccines” has changed into different beliefs and definitions. The definitions
and new beliefs have caused immunizations to be looked down upon causing
the problem of infants all over the world not to be vaccinated. The word
vaccines should be defined as an accomplishment that prevents certain
diseases.
 Definitions of “Immunizations”
Overtime
– Why does it need defining? Why am I interested in this topic?

• Vaccine is defined as, “ a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically
contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of
the microbe, its toxins or one of its surface proteins. The agent stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the
agent as foreign, destroy it, and "remember" it, so that the immune system can more easily recognize and destroy any of
these microorganisms that it later encounters..” (WHO, 2018).
• Since 1988 to present day, society defines vaccines as something negative. The anti- vaccine movement
caused parents to define vaccines as a fearful act that causes autism and other illnesses.
• Vaccines should be defined as protection in the immune system that creates antibodies so that the body can
fight off a real infection if it shows up.
• It is important to raise awareness over the true definition of vaccines order to protect everyone around us.
Vaccines and Autism

– The epidemic of children not being vaccinated has caused measles, mumps, ad
pertussis outbreaks.
– This is all due to a study conducted by Andrew Wakefield in 1998 claiming a link
between the MMR vaccine and autism. This study has been regarded as flawed
but many parents still fear vaccines.
– Vaccines are important because they protect you when you are around
someone who isn't vaccinated.
– Vaccines are an extraordinary achievement of the 20th century. There purpose is
to eliminate certain illness such as chick pox, polio, measles and other infectious
diseases.
Audience

– Main concern is with parents who are not educated over the true
definition/purpose of immunizations.
What are the statistics?

– “Immunization currently averts an estimated 2 to

3 million deaths every year. An additional 1.5
million deaths could be avoided, however, if
global vaccination coverage improves” (W.H.O.,
2018, ).
– According to CDC, 26 states have not reported
meeting a government target of 95% coverage for
MMR.
– According to WHO, 134,200 estimated deaths
from measles in 2015 (15 deaths every hour)
– WHO: Immunization for all throughout VIDEO
LINK: https://youtu.be/9_nyG2TUDcQ
Larger Social Implications
What definition am I working
towards?
– It is more dangerous and risky for a child to not be vaccinated.
– The more people who are vaccinated in a community then the better chance of
protecting everyone (Herd Immunity). Some people cant/yet take shots due to a
certain health condition, religious reasons, and/or age.
– I am working towards a definition that would raise awareness over the truth of
vaccines. My definition will refute the misconceptions over vaccines.
– I will argue that vaccines were invented to prevent preventable diseases.
– In order to bring back the true definition back into society, people need to educate
themselves on the truth about vaccines. This can be done so by having informative
videos played in hospitals and posted on social media. That way the
misconceptions/ false definition of vaccines is refuted. Parents need to make an
educated decision regarding vaccines.
References

– Kennedy, A., LaVail, K., Nowak, G., Basket, M., & Landry, S. (2011). Confidence
about vaccines in the United States: understanding parents’
perceptions. Health affairs, 30(6),1151-1159.
– Maglione, M. A., Das, L., Raaen, L., Smith, A., Chari, R., Newberry, S., ... &
Gidengil, C. (2014). Safety of vaccines used for routine immunization of US
children: a systematic review. Pediatrics, 134(2), 325-337
– Recame, M. A. (2012). The immunization-autism myth debunked. International
Journal Of Childbirth Education, 27(4), 76.
– WHO.(2018, January). Immunization Coverage. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/topics/vaccines/en/