16 diseases are now preventable thanks to one of the miracles of modern medicine – vaccination. But conflict has been brewing among the medical community, concerned parents and other anti-vaccination groups. Do the potential harms outweigh the benefits? The PBS Frontline documentary series explores this controversial and controversial issue through the Vaccine Wars.
While vaccines were supposed to eradicate smallpox, polio, and other once-devastating diseases, more and more parents rejected them altogether. The number of required pediatric vaccinations has increased over the years, and this community of opponents has questioned whether they are doing more harm than good.
The film is a topic of dialogue with representatives of the parties. A mother of four has lamented that her oldest child was nearly vaccinated against sexually transmitted diseases as a baby. She has since refused to vaccinate her other children. This parent, and others like them, believe that certain childhood illnesses are essential to growing up.
Another parent wholeheartedly accepted the gift of vaccinations. In their view, not getting these vaccines is tantamount to neglect. “This is an outbreak that is about to break out,” she claimed. One unvaccinated child can endanger countless others. It has also been seen in some areas in recent years as the spread of measles has spread.
And there are members of the medical community desperate to stop the spread of disinformation. To them, the need for a vaccine is as obvious as any tool that can help prevent hospitalization, misery, and premature death.
The filmmakers also highlighted findings from researchers and other outspoken critics who argue that the vaccines — especially when given in combination — could overwhelm children’s immune systems. In their view, this could lead to autism and other cognitive impairments. Epidemiologists refute this claim.
The film’s diverse mix of interview topics also discusses the ingredients of popular vaccines, the loss of trust between patients and physicians, and weighing the decision to have children against the benefits to the pediatric population as a whole.
The vaccine wars are a definitive look at an important issue.
Directed by: Jon Palfreman
