In the UK, due to the free healthcare, students throughout secondary schools are given the opportunity to take the MMR vaccination in school. However, it has been found that there is an increasing number of parents who are refusing these vaccinations.
Reasons for this include the claim that the MMR vaccination can cause autism. Dr Andrew Wakefield's study suggests that the vaccination can be a trigger to autism in young children; however, his theory has seemed to be proven wrong by multiple scientist who say that the vaccine is taken by infants at around the same time the first signs of autism. But could that just be a claim to get people to take the injection? Another reason for this accusation is the fact that the vaccination is mercury based, which can often lead to mental health problems and autism.
There are many other explanations as to why parents refuse the vaccination. An example of this is the fact that health, sanitation and medical care have improved massively, so if the disease is caught, it can be cured quickly and efficiently, with minimal cost to the family. Some parents also refuse the vaccination because by taking the vaccination there is a small chance of the vaccination triggering an adverse reaction.
There is also always the question of risk, an important factor in any decision, however often fails to falter many decisions. For example, 1713 people die in car or motor related accidents every year in the UK; But does this stop you from driving or travelling in a car?
Olivia Dennis Sydenham High School
