Public support for vaccines drops a bit: Strong support for vaccines has fallen since 2008, survey finds
From NBCNews:
Support for vaccination has fallen a little among Americans in the past 10 years, a new survey out Monday finds.
While almost all Americans still vaccinate their children on schedule and support doing so, the percentage who say they strongly support vaccination, and who are firmly confident in vaccine recommendations, has fallen, the survey by Research America found. “This is a flag that confidence is slipping a bit,” said Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research America, which commissioned the survey.
Vaccine rates are high. So are refusals. Most Americans get recommended vaccines, especially children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More than 90 percent of kids under age 3 have had their full series of vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella; hepatitis B, chickenpox; and polio. More than 80 percent are up to date on Haemophilus influenzae; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; and pneumococcal vaccines.
But pockets of vaccine skeptics have helped cause outbreaks of measles and whooping cough. And it takes vaccination rates of upwards of 90 percent to achieve what’s called herd immunity so that even those who cannot be vaccinated are protected.
Research America commissioned Zogby Analytics to interview just over 1,000 people about their attitudes toward vaccination. Asked “how important do you believe vaccines are to the health of our society today,” 70 percent said “very important” and 22 percent said “somewhat important”. In 2008, 80 percent said they were very important and 17 percent said somewhat important.
“It’s hard to believe that there’s anybody who doesn’t think it is important,” Woolley said. Asked about their confidence in the current system for evaluating the safety of vaccines and recommendations for when they should be given, 32 percent said they were “very confident” and 45 percent “somewhat confident”, while. 18 percent were not too confident or not at all confident.
The same percentage was very confident in 2008, but 53 percent were somewhat confident and 13 percent were not too or not at all confident. Asked if they’d personally benefited from the development of vaccines over the last 50 years, 59 percent answered strongly yes and 28 percent somewhat yes. That compares to 75 percent strongly yes and 15 percent somewhat yes in 2008.
And 71 percent said it’s very important for children to get vaccinated, compared to 82 percent in 2008. All this indicates not that more people oppose vaccine, but that there’s more doubt and questioning, Woolley said.
“We feel that it is very important to take this seriously,” she told a briefing.
“People want more work to be done. They want to get to more and safer vaccines.”
The survey found that 45 percent of people do not think the public receives enough information from their doctors about vaccinations.
Health experts have been debating how to counter the ever more vocal influence of a small but determined group of people who oppose conventional vaccination.
But there’s also a growing number of people who simply have questions, said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, who directs CDC’s vaccine division. “I was surprised at how many moms in my community had questions that I thought had been asked and answered,” said Messonnier, adding that she has two young children herself.
“Parents are inundated with information from social media, from their friends,” she added. There’s no one-size-fits all answer, and it’s important not to preach at people, she said. “We need to have local conversations,” she said. Parents need respectful answers to their questions, she advised.
“The one thing that never works is saying, ‘You’re wrong’,” agreed Dr. Tony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Other experts advise that framing vaccine worries as a debate or fight is ineffective and even counterproductive.
And people respond well when they learn that vaccination is very much the norm in the U.S., said Messonnier.
“Nationally, less than 1 percent of toddlers have not received any vaccines,” she said.
Parents may voice doubts about childhood vaccines while still immunizing their kids, but uptake of flu shots shows a completely different pattern. Why next year's flu vaccine will be lousy
The survey found that even though flu vaccines are recommended every year for just about everybody, 53 percent did not get vaccinated against influenza in the last season. Of them, 48 percent said it was because they did not trust the vaccine and 40 percent felt they didn’t need it. Another 26 percent said it wasn’t worth getting a flu shot because the vaccine is not effective.
The lack of a highly effective flu vaccine could be feeding people’s doubts about vaccine effectiveness overall, Woolley said. But the survey did not ask people about why they felt as they do.
Woolley, Messonnier and Fauci all agreed that medical experts need to do more to help people understand just how much work and research goes into vaccine safety, and to honestly answer questions about vaccines when they come up.
"We have a lot of work to do," Messonier said.
People’s own personal doctors are the best source of trusted vaccine information, they added.
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Too bad there is not a vaccine for ignorance. Vaccines are quite safe and have helped eliminate and even eradicate diseases. Anti-vaccers simply do not understand enough about vaccines, but go along with the hysteria surrounding them in recent times. Not getting vaccinated, having one's children vaccinated, or even advising against vaccinations puts peoples health at risk.
But, why vaccinate against already eradicated diseases ?
What eradicated diseases are we vaccinating against? I said vaccines have help to eradicate certain diseases. Smallpox is the most famous example.
Many and here is the official government reason why:
" One infected traveler from another country could set us back 50 years if our own population wasn’t protected."
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Gee I didn't know us humans were that fragel. But we must be or the government wouldn't make us be vaccinated right ? Cause we all know our government never over exerts its influence unjustly.
Yes, we are. it's amazing we've survived as a species. Of course, our intellect and ingenuity, such as developing medicines, helped with that too.
It's a good thing we have government agencies like the CDC to inform us about diseases and vaccines.
It's quite foolish to be against vaccines.
" One infected traveler from another country could set us back 50 years if our own population wasn’t protected."
'Cause we all know our government never over exerts its influence unjustly.' ?????????
Indeed. I find most opposition to vaccines stems from ignorance about them and/or perpetuated by the fear and paranoia about them stemming from anti-vaccers.
And we didn't land a spacecraft on the moon either. That's just crazy talk to think we could.
You know what's really crazy? All that nonsense about the Earth being round. I mean, can you believe such a thing? LOL
It is a big 6,000 year old frisbee at the center of the universe which revolves around it.
Exactly. How anyone can believe otherwise is beyond me.
It's quite foolish to be against vaccines.
" One infected traveler from another country could set us back 50 years if our own population wasn’t protected."
'Cause we all know our government never over exerts its influence unjustly.' ?????????
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American consumers benefit from having access to the safest and most advanced pharmaceutical system in the world. The main consumer watchdog in this system is FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
However, prescription drugs are more lethal than illegal or street drugs. Prescription drug abuse and addiction kill far more people in the U.S. every year than all illegal drugs combined.
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Ever really watch a tv add for a prescription ? 3/4s of the commercial are warning about the side effects 1/4 about the possible benefits and our government thinks this is acceptable and safe for us.
All these drugs are approved by the same government you ask us to trust on vaccinations..
why ?
Sorry I stopped trusting the American government to be correct all the time long ago.
IMO: Its actually foolish to trust our government..
Not completely eradicated in all parts of the world, but it is a fact that immigrants of all types, both legal and illegal, bring diseases into the US. And other vermin, like bed bugs.
Prescription drugs have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with vaccines so why did you post that?
Again, it's quite foolish to be against vaccines.
It's foolish to be against vaccines that save more lives than it harms.
'Sorry I stopped trusting the American government to be correct all the time long ago.
IMO: Its actually foolish to trust our government.. '
Whatever floats your boat. Makes no difference to me.
Any medication can be potentially lethal if abused. Even Tylenol can kill you if it's abused. But when taken as prescribed, medications can help one remain healthy and/or avert a potential health crisis.
Rather than watching TV, refer to a pharmaceutical drug guide about side effects, or consult with a pharmacist or physician. Most side effects, if they occur, are generally mild. Some may have serious side effects as well. That's why consultation with a physician about such things is the best course of action. Not giving into fear or ignorance because of something you see on TV.
They're approved because research shows the benefits of such drugs outweigh the risks.
It's the biomedical and pharmaceutical community that does the research on drugs. The government, via the FDA, is the one that approves its use by the public or not.
Cool Like wise. Trust anyone you choose. I just choose not to always believe this government knows best.
As far as vaccinations I'd leave that up to the medical professionals not the government bureaucrats to know whats best for us.
All the more reason to receive immunizations.
No one ever said the government knows best.
Vaccinations are recommended and provided by medical professionals. So no worries there.
They do leave it up to the 'medical professionals' and not the 'government bereaucrats' to know what's best for us.
Not Jenny McCarthy and thoroughly debunked wackadoodles.
I googled because I wanted to know the health requirements for legal immigrants.
Legal immigrants are required to have a health screening and vaccinations before leaving their country of origin.
I agree with most of your comment. TV commercials aren't reliable; they're designed to cover all bases.
Where I slightly disagree is that I prefer to rely on my pharmacist more than my physician to give me the most accurate information about prescription drugs and interactions with other medications. Even Rxlist.com is very reliable.
It's the biomedical and pharmaceutical community that does the research on drugs.
True and the government approves them with so many side effects not worked out of them before release.
I can see more side effects allowed for "Life saving" drugs but our government seems to approve damn near anything as long as it has at least one possible benefit regardless of how many negative side effects it may also cause.
No I do not trust our government even on the drugs they approve.
That's fine. Then don't take those drugs. Problem solved.
Well I do usually trust my doctor more than I trust our government.
lol Unfortunately though not at this time, I'm in the middle of changing doctors because the one I chose years ago has moved on and the doctor who replaced mine doesn't seem to know shit.
always some damn thing eh ?
No just because I dont take those drugs doesn't mean the problem with our government approving underdeveloped drugs with multiple side effects goes away It just means I'm not subjected to it.
'No just because I dont take those drugs doesn't mean the problem with our government approving underdeveloped drugs with multiple side effects goes away It just means I'm not subjected to it.'
The 'government' did not approve them - the FDA did.
This FDA ?
Well duh, it is a government agency. What's your point then?
It's the biomedical and pharmaceutical community that does the research on drugs. The government, via the FDA, is the one that approves its use by the public or not.
Which part of that don't you understand?
They're designed to sell a product.
Fair enough.
That's why medications go through clinical trials before they are approved and released. The effects and side effects of those meds can be determined then.
The benefits generally have to outweigh the risks. And not all side effects are the same. Neither does everyone experience them the same, or even suffer from the same side effects.
You are free to not take medications.
I am sure you will deny it but that was a cheap shot of Pure D Hate. While it is true that travelers of all sorts do pose a danger to the larger population that is not really true of all immigrants as groups and I can assure you America has had bedbugs all along. They are even a problem in New York City among the denizens of the sparkling high rise mansions on Park and 5th Avenues. Which are, by the way, mostly all being snatched up at exorbitant prices with the ill-gotten gains plundered by Trump and Kushner friends and family members and other oligarch types from Eastern Europe and especially Russia plus the motley tribes from the lower rungs of assorted Arab royalty. Maybe it was they brought all those bedbugs...
My thoughts exactly - some think they're so clever - but we see right through the hate.
'It's a good thing we have government agencies like the CDC to inform us about diseases and vaccines.'
INDEED!
Diseases that were pretty much eradicated in the past are coming back because of idiot parents who refuse to vaccinate their children.
So true. I think measles is one such disease that is making a comeback thanks to the anti-vaccer nonsense.
There was a kook on the other website that was vehemently against vaccines. She wasn't the first I came across and probably won't be the last.
To those that are anti-vaxxers, please consider the ramifications of your decision not to vaccinate your kids.
There is a person out there who has a compromised immune system, therefore, cannot be immunized to prevent something as simple as the chicken pox. However, you take your infected kid out in public and your precious darling sneezes or coughs in the direction of our patient, and now our patient is seriously ill and requires hospitalization.
Do you want that on your conscience?
Was this on Newsvine? If so, I know whom you mean. I got into quite a discussion with her about vaccines. She kept harping on about the dangers of vaccines like autism, but couldn't produce any credible research to back it up. It's like she didn't care about actual facts. All she did was go along with anti-vaccer paranoia and/or plain stupidity.
That might be asking too much of their mental faculties.
SSSHHHHHH!!!!! Perrie hates that word. LOL!
Yeah....some people just don't care about others
Oops, my bad. lol
LOL, good one.
You can't blame people for being skeptical with the dirty tricks the deep state plays.
I blame ignorant people for spreading misinformation about vaccines or campaigning against vaccines.
I would respond to Dean but would likely be banned as a result.
Yeah, don't do that.
Sure I can
I don't blame people for being skeptical. I blame them for being willfully ignorant or ignoring current sound research on the issue. They let fear, ignorance, or emotion override critical and rational thinking.
Well put
Thank you.
That stuff you can blame on specific bad actors like the CIA and the unethical doctors who collaborated in things like torture, the Tuskegee experiments, etc. What you can't legitimately blame it on is some imaginary "deep state."
But you make a good point - there are good reasons for certain communities to be suspicious both of doctors and of the government. Racial minorities in particular have well-founded concerns even if the underlying facts are many decades out of date.
I don't know enough about medicines and boosters to speak about them. I'm not a trained physician, researcher, etc. There seems to be a spread of autism that is increasing at an alarming rate that is unexplained, as far as I know. There seems to be far more people susceptible to allergies also. That being said, when my Doc tells me I need a shot, I trust him and his judgment. I had my physical yesterday and he mentioned there is a new vaccine for shingles, but he said he wasn't going to give it to me, as he wants to to watch and see what kinds of side effects it may have in people who have received it.
Hi, Spikegary -
I've put off getting the shingles vaccine out of laziness, but from what I've read everyone over 50-60 should get it, especially if they've had chicken pox. My mother-in-law got shingles and then developed a severe case of postherpetic neuralgia. The postherpetic neuralgia was more painful than the shingles were, and she suffered from it for the rest of her life, even with opioid pain management meds like methadone.
There are 2 shingles vaccines. Zostavax (live vaccine) was approved in 2006, and Shingrix (non-living) in 2017. Here are 2 good websites:
If you want more info, here's a full search:
Dear Friends Jasper and Spikegary: While shingles are not fatal, in elderly populations they are very uncomfortable.
That discomfort may aggravate other pre-existing conditions.
Of course, this is something best discussed with one's primary care physician.
They know the unique medical history and relevant considerations.
Its an important conversation in making the best decision for each individual.
I went for it.
Am current on all applicable innoculations.
This includes the Starbucks drip, the Innocu-Latte.
Enoch, Going for the Dark Roast.
Shingles can be quite painful, depending on where and how severe someone is affected. In severe cases, it can cause some deformity, especially if it affects the face, and may require surgical correction.
Good for you Enoch. More people should follow your example. Don't forget the importance of the flu and pneumonia vaccinations. That is especially paramount for the elderly population.
Good morning, My friends,
My doc was real hesitant about the new one, so I assume he was talking about Shingrix. As most people, I don't much care for needles and I do trust him. We will talk about it again in 6 months.....
Dear Friend Gordy: Great points all.
The choice was an easy one on the vaccination for shingles for me.
Likewise for influenza, pneumonia and all other vaccinations.
Those most at risk during a flu season, the young, the elderly and/or the infirm can die from flu.
It happens.
Even during the last flu season in both hemispheres, when the vaccine wasn't a very good match to the virus, those who got the shot either didn't contract the flu,. or got milder case of it than those who did not.
I read a quotation from Anthony Faucci, MD at the NIH on this.
He said that since a survival mechanisms of flu's and viruses (including retro viruses) is to morph to survive innocculations the next wave of them will be more targeted to personal body chemistry; and endeavor to boos the immune system against any strain of the harmful biologics. Interesting strategy.
I concur with your assertion that there is no direct evidence linking injections to autism or allergies on a causal basis.
There does seem to be problems with contaminating pollution, and processed foods appearing to be a more likely cause.
Please share and keep us current as large number controlled double blind studies shed light on this.
Again, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Enoch.
Thank you.
Yes it does. it happened this past flu season too.
The problem is, the flu vaccine only protects against the 3 most common strains (out of approximately 100) of the flu. Not to mention I think there was a flu vaccine shortage this past year. So by the time people had the vaccine, they either already contracted the flu, or a different strain affected them.
That would be a more logical explanation.
If I come across research articles on the topic, I'll be happy to.
You're welcome. My pleasure.
I got the first shingrix shot last week. It hurt like hell and I had a mild fever for two days. Still worth it.
Unfortunately, some people want to blame vaccines, when there is no valid research to correlate vaccines to autism.
That might be more do to environmental and/or nurturing influences.
I think Shingrix is the newest vaccine. But there is a national shortage of it. That might also be another reason why your physician didn't give it.
The only reason he gave for it is that it is new and he wants to see more data on side effects before prescribing it.
I think there are probably several factors to the bloom in various allergies and other problems, like Autism. It would be good to know more. Hopefully research will eventually make some breakthroughs to explain these surges.
That sounds like an experimental research. If that's the case, he needs written consent to give it to you and you need written information regarding the vaccine. Otherwise, simply giving it to you to observe for any effects is unethical. But I don't know the details regarding the administration of the vaccine in your case.
Vaccines, like any medication, can cause allergic reactions or other side effects. But vaccines are generally quite safe (unless one has a particular allergy them). And research has not shown any link between vaccines and autism.
My mistake.....and mistyping. I meant to say he did not give it to me because he wants to see more information on the side-effects the vaccine may have beforee prescribing it to me (and I assume his other patients).
Ah ok. That sounds better. And quite reasonable too. Thanks for clarifying.
Are you even old enough for the shingles vaccine?
Unfortunately, the Doc said people in their 50s - 60s....so............I'm still in the shallow-ish end of that pool.....LOL.
I tried to get one a couple of years ago and the doctor said I wasn't old enough. I'm 56. I just had a check-up and no mention of a shingles vax....just lots of grief about other shit
Exercise more, eat less......saw this awesome meme the other day........
I had a minor shingles flareup when I was in my early 30s due I suspect to a ton of stress at the time. So it can happen to anyone who's had chicken pox. Nothing since then, and no vaccination for shingles so far although I'm about the age where they start to recommend it.
Stress can certainly be a precursor to the onset of shingles, as can a depressed or compromised immune system.
This is true. Especially when one gets older or suffered from a compromised immune system.
When is a good time to discuss the shingles vax with a doctor?
Anytime is always a good time to discuss that or any health issue with your doctor. But it's especially important if you have currently have or have had shingles, or if you're 50 yrs old or older. As one gets older, other vaccines to discuss with your doctor is the flu and pneumonia vaccine, as they become more necessary to maintain good health as one ages.
Been a paramedic for many years and am often scared that I don't know what I'm doing.
I wouldn't use that as my opening line upon arrival at a rescue scene.
I would suspect changes in food and water quality to be a factor. Are our bodies tolerant of "Roundup ready" food? Is our water supply safe? What pollutants are in our air?
I leave my windows open when the weather is nice. However, I have to shut all of my windows when I am away from home because my neighbors are likely to spray weedkillers on windy days in my house.
I bake at home because I thought it was healthier. I now buy organic flour when I can afford it.
I think the uptick in autism diagnoses is the better diagnostic tools we have available today. Whereas a child might not have been diagnosed with autism 20-30 years ago, they are today.
I could be all wet, too, but I get my shots when I need them.
larger population and better infant care are factors also
Apart from better diagnoses and increased awareness of autism, older fathers is another big factor in the increased rate of autism.
You are so right on that. When I worked at a boarding school we had a lot of kids with older fathers that were a little off. It was one of the things staff just picked up on. Especially rich older men with a young trophy wife, they could not figure out why the last kid was so difficult, but we knew and so did some of the other kids.
Older fathers = defective sperm
?
that is what we privately called it
I can see why. It wouldn't be PC to call old dads defective
Those kids are, usually, just spoiled.
Dear Friend Gordy: You don't see or hear about wide spread pandemics since the widespread use of vaccines.
Not perfect, but the alternative is far worse.
They no longer use large amounts of mercury, if at all, as a preservative.
They are working on mediums other than eggs to grow ingredients.
This is due to the sensitivity some have to eggs.
Vaccines work best when all are vaccinated.
As an Orthodox Rabbi, a Chaplin, and an end of life giver of Pastoral care, I support vaccines.
Far more good than harm comes of their widespread use.
Medically, this is a settled matter.
This is a must read topic for the greater good.
Knowledge is power.
We are grateful for your posting this and moderating the ensuring discussion.
Thanks.
Peace, Abundant blessings and the Good Health to Enjoy Them
Enoch.
Indeed. It wasn't too long ago that society had to deal with far worse, like childhood diseases.
Not to mention viral bases for vaccines (live or attenuated) to increase their efficacy.
Sensitivity and allergies is an acceptable reason to not have a vaccine.
This is true. If less people are vaccinated, there is a decline in herd immunity.
As do I. End of life care can be daunting. Kudos to you for your services.
This is also true. Unfortunately, some people want to trust uninformed opinions or give in to fear over sound medical research or advice.
I couldn't agree more.
Unfortunately, there seems to be many people who are or prefer to remain weak.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
Dear Friend Gordy: To paraphrase the Late President John F. Kennedy who speaking about going to the moon said, "We do thins not because ti is easy,. Rather because it is hard".
I elect to do end of life Pastoral Care for any and all who ask me to both for those culminating their time in this life, and those losing of having just lost someone near and dear to them.
I do this not because it is easy.
It isn't.
The burn our rate in this field is staggering. For cause.
I do it because it is necessary.
No one should have to die alone.
All should be able, not to end life. Rather to crown, culminate it in the grace style and dignity with which they lived, or should have been allowed to live it on their terms.
The goal of folks like me who do this. without regard to what others believe or not is to provide a sense of being at peace.
Of finalizing time here by dying as they lived, or wanted to do so.
We feel it is best others be given this at the end.
Thanks for the shout out. On behalf of all who do this.
Enoch.
All the more power to you Enoch.
I would imagine so.
That's very noble.
Happy to be of service.
Excellent points.
TY.
So has the level of intelligence in this country. Vaccines are not the problem.
Coincidence? I think not.
Just another example of the dumbing down of the general populace.
I believe in vaccinations.....no reason not to.
There is always a certain percentage of the population that thinks the government, or the establishment, is out to get them. We call this paranoia. Conspiracy theories provide the energy and rationale for these beliefs.
While I would never say never as far as misbehavior on the part of government agencies, I don't think it happens and since our medical authorities, in and outside the government say vaccines are necessary and safe, that is the way to go, unless you want to be photographed with the tin foil hat on.
I believe in vaccines, but I also think that people should be aware of research practices.
For instance, I never gave my kids the HPV vaccine. It was never tested on the age group it was recommended for (because they said that would be unethical), but then was given to that age group. HPV is easy to avoid (condoms), and rarely results in cancer and you can be screened for it ( your annual pap or scoping for men).
Now there are concerns that the shot might cause ovarian failure.
Why would I give my kids a shot that was never tested on their age group? And btw.. this is a huge money maker for both docs and big pharm.
I think it's stuff like this that fuels vaccine resistant parents. It's really sad, but I feel a bit of this, is because big pharm is not upfront on their testing methods.
If I don't care enough about my own heath, who else will. I have all the necessary vaccinations that are due each year, including the Flu shots. I have never had any reaction to any vaccinations that I have had, pneumonia, flu, shingles, DPT, and the other vaccinations recommended by my Doctor when they are due.
If people don't care enough about their own health to protect themselves with the vaccines that are available to protect them from the most common diseases and illnesses, and most of them free or covered by health plans, then they are risking not only their own health, but, that of others who come in contact with them, including members of their own family.
Just my own opinion.