User:RimJay/sandbox

I am a university student using this account and my sandbox as part of an educational assignment. This may involve collaborative work with other students.

TITLE: Vaccine Myths and misconceptions

Starting with an emergence of successful immunization against smallpox, vaccination was approved for several epidemic disease. Widespread usage of vaccines created myths and misconceptions leading to vaccine hesitancy. Doubts against the vaccines induces low vaccination rates which negatively affects the public health, ultimately resulting to social and economic downfall.

MMR Vaccination

MMR vaccination is effective for preventing Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, three highly contagious disease with potential fatality. Attenuated and live virus based on each disease is combined to form the vaccination. Measles was a major public health concern worldwide and so was dealt with media frequently.

MMR Vaccination leads to Autism.

In 1988, Andrew Wakefield, a British former physician, journalised a study hypothesising MMR vaccination for causing inflammation and detrimental protein entry to brain which leads to autism progression. MMR vaccination is completed at early childhood, which amplified the doubts of developing autism. Later in 2002, Wakefield’s second journal testing the relationship of measles virus and autism was published. The testing involved detection of measles virus in intestinal biopsy tissue. The two research in 1988, and 2002 were a big issue in the media and the public gained anxiety about the effects of MMR vaccination.

However, the first study released in 1988, was retracted for under two reasons. The primary reason was that about 90 percent of the children in England were MMR vaccinated. This raised the probability of autism diagnosed individuals having a former record of vaccination. Also, unvaccinated individuals were not studied as a control group reflecting a poor validity of the investigation.

The second study was also flawed for multiple reasons. There was no record of any blinding done throughout the investigation. A critical bias in the study was related with the determination of presence of measles virus within the autism diagnosed patients. The detection tool was highly sensitive to measles virus while the study setting, England, was filled with measles virus within the country. Natural replication of the measles virus after vaccination also induced an easier detection of measles virus which were not related to the purpose of investigation. Prior factors raised a high false positive result.

The two flawed studies were spread quickly across the media regardless of the investigation verification. This led to the birth of misconception of MMR vaccine among the public.

HPV Vaccination

HPV vaccine is designed for immunization against human papillomavirus, causing a sexually transmitted infection. Upon infection, the virus potentially leads several cancers. The vaccination is misunderstood due to its traits related to sexual activity. HPV Vaccine only protects females.

The most common misconception about HPV vaccination is its target of immunization. Human papillomavirus mainly attracted attention for causing cervical cancer. This brought the idea that HPV vaccine is only suitable for females. Although the vaccination avoids cervical cancer, it also serves as a protection for penile or anal cancer which males are also potential victim. For a healthy sexual relationship, vaccination status of both partners regardless of gender is required.

HPV Vaccine leads to infertility.

Vaccinations and medications often carry specific side effects. HPV Vaccine was accused of having an infertility-related side effect. Several anecdotal reports were given by vaccinated individual and raised the doubt among public. However, no scientific evidence was found related to infertility. Rather, the vaccine was proven to be effective and safe in the prevention of viral infections.

Gender bias takes a role in misinterpretation of HPV vaccine. The vaccination is often dealt with relations to females which brings lack of knowledge of the infection for males compared to females.

Also, some religious and cultural beliefs hinder vaccination opportunity for individuals. Parents or guardians declare that HPV vaccination is unnecessary for their child as their values are to have no sexual activity before marriage. These hindrance boosts the misconception of HPV vaccination and shapes the vaccine as a hallmark for sexual activity rather than a protection against cancer.

COVID-19 Vaccination

The vaccination is designed for SARS-CoV-2 virus with several types having various mechanisms including mRNA, Viral Vector, Protein subunit vaccines, Inactivated or attenuated Vaccines. With the global pandemic caused by the virus, different opinions about vaccinations were raised and spread.

COVID-19 Vaccines causes death.

Several reports about COVID-19 vaccinated individuals passing away after a few days were spread across the media. As vaccination was awaited worldwide, reports of such were highly viewed. Concerns of rapid approval of the vaccination amplified the rise of doubt. However, there were no scientific proof of any harmful ingredients included in the vaccination. There was also false news about vaccination status of individuals that were reported to be dead.

COVID-19 Vaccines involves microchip for track detection of people.

COVID-19 regulations and measures were utilized as a useful tool in political polarization and appearance of conspiracy theories were noticed. One of the most widely spread theory was an inclusion of a microchip within the vaccines to track individuals. Lack of understanding of vaccine science within public caused a confusion about the truth of the vaccine ingredients.

General

•	Vaccines are toxic. -	Mercury, Aluminium, Formaldehyde, Human serum albumin, Antibiotics, Yeast Proteins accused of toxicity. -	Study reveals they are not harmful. -	Vaccines are considered artificial -> Accounts for rise in doubt.

•	Vaccines are useless – Vaccinated people get infected / Children. -	Vaccinated people get infected. Why? A) Vaccine is not 100% effective B) Waning Immunity C) Variants

- For herd immunity, Vaccination is required. -	Vaccines are not suitable for children. A) Safety concerns – Adverse events B) Personal beliefs – Not being natural. Belief that natural Immunity is better than acquired immunity.

•	Vaccines cause sudden infant death syndrome. – 100 -	Rise due to timings. Most infants die from 1~4months of age where most vaccination happens. -	Media reports of hepatitis B vaccine causing SIDS. -	No causal relationship between vaccines and SIDS.