Imlisanen Jamir
One of humanity’s greatest accomplishments has been the development of vaccines, saving millions of lives across the world.
Since then, several new vaccines have been developed over the course of history, each being heralded as a landmark medical achievement—a cause for celebration. However, despite their incredible success, groups of people who doubt their efficacy and question their use still exist.
In Nagaland, there has been a recent emergence of anti-vaccination rhetoric spread through social media and even traditional media. Even before the state government’s free state-wide Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign began on October 3, there was a scare campaign (sometimes disguised as credible information) on this particular vaccine and vaccination in general. This prompted several parents across the state, especially in rural areas, to prevent their children from getting vaccinated.
It is easy to shrug off anti-vaccination literature and propaganda, considering that a lot of their arguments are based on debunked studies and pseudo-science. However, simply waving them off is not the answer, and poses even more danger.
The anti-vaccination movement has a kind of conspiracy theory appeal to it, with its ‘big state colluding with corporations to pump poison into our children’s veins’ narrative. This appeal, combined with the bombardment of misinformation and selective science creates an atmosphere of confusion, which traps the uninformed.
However, it is also important to acknowledge that the health sector being paid off by pharma companies to hide the problem with vaccines is a legitimate concern. There absolutely is a problem with the dealings of big pharma. However, on the rare occasions where there have been issues with vaccines, they have been pulled, and fast.
Holding big pharma accountable requires more than propaganda based on discredited studies by disgraced medical practitioners—the very anti-thesis of science.
The other pseudo-science and slanted reports quoted by the anti-vaccine movement on the other hand is being combated through health practitioners. We would expect ourselves to take advice from almost every doctor in the world. The thing about doctors is that they did not learn things about the human body from their friend’s Facebook page.
Poking holes at nutty movements is easy until they begin to pose real dangers. This would all be okay if your kids were the only ones effected. But they are not because un-vaccinated kids put all children in danger, especially babies who are too young to get the vaccination shots.
And finally, it must be acknowledged that parenthood is terrifying. Parents these days are bombarded with information from every nook; and making a decision for your children’s welfare has become more complicated.
Make an informed choice, yes! But approach the right avenues to avail that information. Do not just do a google search or base vaccination decisions on second hand narratives promoted by anonymous pressure groups and individuals.
The flip-side to this is that many parents can spend only so much time to do their own research or are unable to filter the noise from credible scientific information.
This is where the state healthcare department needs to be more proactive in doubling their outreach efforts to explain the science of vaccination; combined with more work to combat anti vaccination movements.
As for the ongoing MR Vaccination Campaign being undertaken this month; reportedly 50% vaccination was achieved on day one. If true, it is an encouraging sign that most people in Nagaland are overcoming the temptation to listen to irrational shouting and making informed choices. Long may it continue!
Comments can be sent to imlisanenjamir@gmail.com
