Major
Nursing
Advisor
Goyette, Lisa
Advisor Department
Nursing, College of
Date
5-2020
Keywords
Anti-vax; Anti-vaccination; Vaccine controversies; Vaccination
Abstract
Anti-vaccination is a controversial subject widely discussed around the world. This issue has become a hot topic in both the media and lay persons conversations. Immunization through vaccines have prevented people from contracting once life-threatening diseases such as measles, polio and whooping cough. Instead of treating a serious problem after it arises, vaccines provide a primary prevention method to protect not only the individual, but also the people around them who may be physically unable to receive the vaccine.
By conducting a systematic literature review, I used research to support the hypothesis that vaccination is a crucial factor of our health and refusing to comply poses a serious threat to the greater community. Due to the recent rise in people opposing vaccinations, I wanted to research this movement in order to show people its importance while informing them with the facts behind it. This way, people without a healthcare background can see the value of immunizations and make an informed decision based on scientific research and evidence. This research paper looks at the myths about vaccinations and how we can disprove them while encouraging people to trust vaccines. This is accomplished by looking at the scientific importance of vaccinations, the anti-science parts of the anti-vaccination movement, the effects and consequences of anti-vaccination, and the ways in which these theories can be disproved to the public.
My ultimate aim for this literature review is to become knowledgeable about this movement in order to confidently bring awareness to the public. This topic’s significance is so large that the World Health Organization (WHO) listed anti-vaccination as one of the top ten global health threats of 2019. Being amidst the prevailing outbreak of the coronavirus, this topic only becomes more substantial by directly affecting us. This research is the chance for me to become more equipped on a topic that is a pivotal point for the future of everyone’s health and will carry with me in my career. Nurses often serve as educators to our patients and the public. Being informed is the first step in convincing anti-vaxxers that immunization is an imperative aspect of health.