A new conversation: Vaccines Change the World -

a new conversation: Vaccines Change the world

August 6, 2015 by MHA @GW staff

in the interests of promoting a more robust speech about the importance of regular vaccinations for serious but preventable communicable diseases, MHA @ GW is hosting a series of client in honor of the national consciousness immunization Month (NIAM). Throughout the month of August, we present leaders of opinion pieces and advocates in the field who have been invited to write about the importance of vaccination in 2015. Learn more about the project in our after the introduction.

by Jackie Kaufman, Vaccine Ambassadors

After reading the first version of my blog to be presented during the National Vaccination Month, I interviewed the group around the room for their response. There was obligatory nods of the head and favorable reviews, but it was obvious that this room had not seduced. Alright I understand. We all agreed it was factual, informative, and a little preachy, but it lacked a certain draw. Finally, in an effort to be friendly to the writer (me), our new intern sheepishly mumbled, "It's just a bit of a dry subject."

This seemingly innocuous comment hit me. now it was my turn to shake my head. How responsible technology to save millions of lives become dry? But his words were troubling, there was truth in what she was talking about and, unfortunately, I knew she was not alone in this thinking. I could chalk some of its age viewpoints. She was not old enough to remember the terror that many parents and children felt as the summer approached, and with them, fear of crippling polio. I know that age was one factor. I am one generation removed from the epidemic and therefore has no real appreciation of what must have been living with the fear that any body harm could be a sign of something worse.

It is true that the absence of the disease in our society has made us complacent. Without a direct memory of these events, it is difficult to put this medical marvel in context. What many of us fail to realize is that our experience is the exception and not the rule. In many parts of the world where vaccinations have not become "routine", parents and children still fear the same diseases that we have forgotten. In 2013, it was estimated that 145,000 people (mostly children under 5) died of measles, a disease that has been avoided for more than half a century.

To be honest, it's hard to find something fresh that has not been said time and again, be it a rehash of vaccine safety (myths versus facts) Andrew Wakefield paper debunked, conspiracy theories, or the motivation of big pharma. It came to me that we are continually countryside in a defensive position, pushing the false allegations rather than creating our own story. We must do better to convey the amazing impact that vaccines have had and continue to have on our world. Parents, health care providers, and the media (no, there are not two sides) should resonate with one voice. Let's move beyond the tired old arguments and focus on our mail. The facts are the facts, but the question is how can we pass on so that they are useful and effective?

I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that vaccines are a scientific marvel. Just look at the number of lives saved since the introduction of vaccines to have an appreciation of the fear inspired by the way that science has changed our world. Vaccine Ambassadors is committed to ensuring that every person has all the same access to this phenomenal success in public health.

A little preachy? Perhaps. A little less dry? I hope so.

Jackie Kaufman, executive director of Ambassadors vaccine, has been involved in healthcare for over 25 years. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing and a Masters in Nursing from the University of Washington. His clinical and research experience include intensive care, organ transplantation and donation, HIV and infectious diseases worldwide.