We write to you as pediatricians committed to the health and well-being of our community. We thank you for the trust you have placed in us to partner with you and provide medical care for your children every day. Today, we reach out to emphasize the vital importance of vaccines in protecting the people we love in our lives. Vaccines are among the most effective tools we possess to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to ensure the safety of our families and neighbors. We hope that with this letter we can answer questions that you may have regarding vaccines and alleviate any skepticism that has arisen as the result of misinformation.
Vaccines have been instrumental in reducing diseases that once posed significant health threats. Diseases such as measles, polio, and diphtheria, which were prevalent in past generations, are now rare in the United States due to successful vaccination programs. This has led to healthier lives for our children, by preventing premature deaths and serious long term health complications. Unfortunately, these diseases have not yet been eradicated everywhere in the world and we have started to see increasing cases of vaccine-preventable illnesses reappearing in areas of the United States where vaccination rates have fallen. Just 2 years ago, there was a measles outbreak here in central Ohio, during which 85 children were infected, 36 of whom were hospitalized. Maintaining high vaccination rates will prevent these diseases from returning to levels that led to tragic consequences in the past.
Vaccination provides benefits to not just the individual who receives them, but also to everyone we interact with in our lives. High vaccination rates lead to herd immunity, a state in which a disease has extreme difficulty spreading through a community because a substantial portion of the population is immune to it. This then safeguards those who may not be able to receive direct protection from a vaccine, such as infants, immunosuppressed individuals, or the elderly. Herd immunity helps all of us live safer and healthier lives by preventing outbreaks of these illnesses.
Not only have vaccines proven to be remarkably effective in reducing and preventing disease, but they are also incredibly safe as well. Vaccines are among the most rigorously evaluated and monitored medical products available today. Systems such as the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the Vaccine Safety Datalink allow public health officials to detect any unexpected side effects and ensure that vaccines remain safe for the general population. Vaccines are truly a victim of their own success. The drastic reduction in these preventable illnesses worldwide is a testament to their safety and effectiveness.
One concern we hear from families is that vaccines cause autism or other developmental disorders. While we do not know the exact cause for these conditions, extensive scientific research has consistently shown that vaccines do not cause autism. Multiple large-scale and peer-reviewed studies of hundreds of thousands of children have reached the same conclusion. This myth originated from a now disproven study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield. This study was later retracted by the journal "The Lancet" due to serious procedural errors and ethical violations. Subsequent investigations found that Wakefield had manipulated evidence and failed to disclose financial conflicts of interest, and his medical license was eventually revoked. Despite this, the misinformation around this false claim has spread, while the evidence continues to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
In conclusion, we thank you for allowing us to share our perspective on this vital issue facing our society. We know that there is so much information to take in these days, and unfortunately, a considerable proportion of what you read and hear is misinformation not based in fact. We as pediatricians promise to engage in open, respectful, and informed discussions about the benefits and risks of vaccination. As we continue to navigate the ongoing health challenges in our lives, let us not forget our past and the threat our society once faced, the threat of preventable deaths and life altering consequences from communicable diseases. Together, we can continue forward toward a healthier future for ourselves and our loved ones.
Sincerely and with the utmost gratitude,
The Pediatricians of Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC)