Autism can be defined as a range of developmental disorders, which affect the ability of a person to socialize, communicate, or even cause them to develop some pattern behaviors that can be flexible and pretty specific (SciShow, 2015). CDC identified that in 2018, 1 in every 59 children was diagnosed with Autism (1 in 151 girls and 1 in 37 boys). The incidence rate has increased over time. In the United States, for example, in 2008, 1 in 88 children were reported to have Autism, which was almost double the rate in 2000 (1 in 150). The increasing incidence rate of Autism is a result of the increase in the number of children being diagnosed with Autism today as compared to decades ago (Camarata, 2018). A child who can be said to be autistic today could have been referred to as mentally retarded ten years ago hence the reason for the low incidence rate years ago. Better diagnosis and monitoring have also been identified with an increase in the incidence rate. Today there are better ways of diagnosing and monitoring the disorder hence the incidence.
Two variables are said to be correlated if there is a relationship between them. It means that when one variable changes, then the other variable changes though one variable doesn’t need to cause a change in the other variable. The reason why people believe that there exists a connection between Autism and vaccines is that the internet has made them think so. Google explains that there is a relationship between vaccines and Autism, and that link is covered by the government or other large corporations (SciShow, 2015). While people get to learn about the experiences of other people from the internet with similar frustrations of what causes Autism, they end up being convinced that vaccines are the cause of Autism. Peer-reviewed articles have, however, indicated that there is no correlation between Autism and vaccines.
People use cognitive bias to explain that vaccines are the cause of Autism. People blame vaccines and other factors such as pesticides, plastics, use of antidepressants during pregnancy, GMOs, and bacteria when they need to associate their hypothesis with their thoughts. Negativity bias also is an explanation for the connection between vaccines and Autism. Negativity bias is where human beings are more on the lookout of what is harmful. Confirmation bias involves accepting information without scrutiny as long as it confirms people’s existing beliefs (SciShow, 2015). People believe information from the world views and the internet that vaccines cause Autism.
Herd immunity is the protection from infectious diseases, which occur when a large number of people in an area are immune to the disease protecting the individuals who are not immune or those who do not get vaccinations. When many people are resistant to an infection, the chains of the disease is interrupted, which can slow or stop the spread of the disease (Bozeman Science, 2015). The risk of a disease spreading depends on the herd immunity; hence the fewer people get vaccinated, the more the number of people who will be infected. For example, to reach a herd immunity to protect measles, a rate of 95% vaccination should be reached; hence those who do not get vaccinated put others at risk of being infected with the disease. It is the responsibility of everyone to protect those vulnerable to diseases through being vaccinated (VICE News, 2019).
To convince parents who are against vaccinating their children to do so, studies have shown that using the tactic of casting doubts on the credibility of misinformation sources is helpful. Discrediting papers such as those linking vaccines to Autism can convince people that vaccines are safe. Parents should also be made aware of how their choices can hurt other people and children. Real stories about children who get infected because they came into contact with another child and were not vaccinated should be used (WHO, 2016). Scientists also recommend that the parents should be convinced through positive messages rather than being cynical about the information that is against vaccination. The messages should cite data and have scientific studies in support of vaccines.
Vaccination helps to protect a child against diseases such as measles, rabies, among others, which can cause death. Vaccinations are not only beneficial to an individual but the public as well through herd immunity. As long as a large population of people is vaccinated, those that cannot be vaccinated get protected.
References
Bozeman Science. (2015, February 9th). Vaccines and Herd Immunity (Video). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLUzwT9tWxY
Camarata, S. (2018, May 8th). The Ongoing Rise in Autism: What in the World Is Going On?. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-intuitive-parent/201805/the-ongoing-rise-in-autism-what-in-the-world-is-going
SciShow. (2015, February 19th). The Science of Anti-Vaccination (Video). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzxr9FeZf1g
VICE News. (2019, April 4th).This County Banned Unvaccinated Kids From Public Spaces (Video). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrUYKKaUDHo