The Vaccine War: The Growing Debate Over Vaccine Safety

Name: ______Date: ______

Vaccines have been touted as one of the most successful advances of modern medicine, yet an increasing number of parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children because of possible side effects. In this video chapter from The Vaccine War, you will examine the debate among public health officials, doctors and parents around vaccine safety and hear differing perspectives on the benefits and risks of vaccination.

Go to: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/vaccines/view/

Watch the documentary an answer the following questions.

1 – What is the first shot a baby receives? ______

2 – What percentage of the children in Ashland Oregan lack some or all of the required

vaccines? _____%

3 – What outbreak occurred in 2008 in San Diego? ______

4 – What was the cause of the outbreak? ______

5 – True or False?: In California children can be exempt because of personal beliefs. ____

6 – What is rotavirus? ______

7 – Why do some call Paul Offit Dr. Profit?______

8 – What is another name for pertussis? ______

9 – What problems do some parents fear vaccines are linked to? ______

10 – What shot is given for mumps, measles and rubella? ______

11 – When do the first symptoms of autism occur? ______

12 – List 3 ingredients found in vaccines. ______

13 – What ingredient was reduced/ eliminated from vaccines in 1999? ______

14 – What country is known for its epidemiology? ______

15 – Did this country find a link between the mercury preservative (thimerosal) and autism?

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16 – What technology helps to fuel the vaccine war? ______

17 – Did you see the clip of the Redskins cheerleader before today? ______

18 – What is herd immunity? ______

19 – What populations are considered vulnerable? ______

20 – What disease was eradicated in the 1970s? ______

21 – Who do you think should be involved in deciding whether children receive a specific vaccine? ______

22 - Should the government have the right to compel vaccination? Should parents have the right to refuse it? ______

23 – What is your opinion? ______

Video Themes

·  Vaccines have increased our lifespan by 30 years and have largely eradicated certain diseases, like smallpox and polio.

·  While vaccination now prevents 16 different communicable diseases in the United States, some parents are concerned about the safety and sheer number of vaccines given to young children.

·  In communities like Ashland, Ore., where 28 percent of children lack some or all of their recommended vaccinations, some parents, health officials and school administrators worry about the possibility of an outbreak—or “breakthrough disease”— in vaccinated children.

·  The issue of vaccination can be contentious on both sides and involves balancing the risks to the public as a whole versus the risks to any one family or child.

Discussion Questions

1 - Through a published schedule and set of guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials recommend that every child receive certain vaccinations by age 6. What are the benefits of this recommendation to public health officials, to the community and to other children?

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2 - Some parents and health care professionals question the CDC’s recommendations and decide not to vaccinate their children, while others, like Jennifer Margulis, choose to vaccinate their children along an alternative schedule. How might her decision affect both her own children and others? ______

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3 - In what ways is vaccination different from other types of personal health decisions?

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Who should be involved in deciding whether children receive a specific vaccine?

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4 - Should the government have the right to compel vaccination? Should parents have the right to refuse it? ______

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