The Vaccine War Essay - 1154 Words

Through the rise of technological advances in medicine, the vaccine has changed the world for the greater good of the human race. Making a great triumph and virtually eliminating an array of life-threatening diseases, from smallpox to diphtheria, thus adding approximately thirty years to many humans’ life spans. Although, a new complication has arisen, possibly linking neurological digression with this rise of new vaccines. Such a digression has forced parents to exempt their children from receiving vaccinations and brought forth mental anguish affecting the minds of many. In the Frontline episode The Vaccine War, a progressively distressful debate ensues among many scientists and doctors within the public health system and an†¦show more content†¦In addition, several celebrities make an appearance to illustrate their views on this matter. Celebrities such as former Playboy Playmate Jenny McCarthy and companion Jim Carrey as well as an appearance from a Redskins c heerleader Desiree Jennings, all who claim there is a connection between vaccines and neurological disorders. Though there is a vast amount of compelling data from both sides of the spectrum this issue has yet to be resolved because the situation is very complicated. Furthermore, the debate has escalated far beyond just the medical risks and benefits but now has an ideological principle regarding a parent’s decision and governmental confines. Scientist Hank Jennings says, â€Å"They still want it to be a choice. They don’t want it to be compulsory† (Palfreman, 2010). Additionally, despite the scientific fact that vaccines are safe, government rule regarding parental choice is another component increasing the fight against vaccines. Throughout The Vaccine War, the particular theory exemplified on the human behavior is Cognitive Dissonance Theory. Cognitive Dissonance Theory is a notion created by Leon Festinger that disputes that dissonance is an awkward feel ing that encourages people to take action to diminish it. This theory is composed of two components: cognitions and cognitive dissonance. Cognitions are defined as, â€Å"ways of knowing,Show MoreRelatedThe Vaccine War: Media Theory Essay941 Words   |  4 PagesSynopsis After watching The Vaccine War, the main concerns of vaccines are public safety, the aftermath of injecting harmful chemicals into ones’ body and the parents that choose not to vaccinate their children. In the beginning of the documentary, a mother, Jennifer Margulis, states she felt like it was not needed for her newborn child to be vaccinated for a sexual transmitted disease. She feels like the ingredients are scary for a young child to take in with an immature immune system. The otherRead MoreA Review Of The Literature Essay1422 Words   |  6 Pagesoutbreak has sparked a renew controversy within the vaccine communities the pro and anti-vaccine camps have been fighting for this issue for a while. After my review of the â€Å"Vaccine Wars.† a Frontline documentary, where the issue is broadly discussed, the â€Å"Vaccine Wars,† gives an inside look at the controversy that is vaccination for children in the United States. To understand this dilemma lets go to the source what is a Vaccine? A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causingRead MoreEssay On The Decision Should Be My Alone1162 Words   |  5 Pagesto a vaccine. Can you imagine being the parent described above within just a few hours of losing this innocent child? Regrettably, this is a sad reality for many parents in America. 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Now they have chosen to engage in another war against the former generations by lashing out at vaccinations, blaming them for health issues such as autism and calling for public schools to eliminate regulations requiringRead MorePoliomyelitis in Nigeria1712 Words   |  7 Pages Introduction For Nigeria, the polio virus is still around in the country because of purely religious reasons. A section of the country, precisely the northern axis spurned a theory that the polio vaccine was fertility control tool of the west. Nothing could be further from the truth! But for intervention of senior clerics and prominent politicians from the area, there would have a standstill in the eradication efforts. To worsen matters, damage had been done by the time of the interventionRead MoreA Brief Look at Polio1848 Words   |  7 Pagesof Polio infection and in 1908; two Austrian physicians Landsteiner and Popper inferred that Polio is a viral infection. 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