Measles. Mumps. Tetanus. They’re dangerous diseases that, despite the availability of vaccinations, are making a comeback in 2019.
Outbreaks of preventable diseases, particularly measles, have been spreading throughout the nation. Back in December, Lewis University had a measles outbreak. In February, Chicagoans at Midway Airport were warned that they had been exposed to the disease and just last month, a county in New York declared a state of emergency after they had a measles outbreak.
These outbreaks and exposures are the direct results of the “anti-vaccination” movement. Anti-vaxxers, as they’re commonly referred, fear modern medicine and the effects it may have on their children
According to an NPR article titled “Medical Anthropologist Explores ‘Vaccine Hesitancy,'” anti-vaxxers believe “mainstream medicine” can be harmful to children. The most popular way people believe that “mainstream medicine” is harmful is citing it as causing autism. Despite the slew of medical studies that have disproved the autism theory, many still use this to justify their reasoning behind not vaccinating their children.
However, according to the Dyson Wellness Center, “vaccines reduce your risk of infection by working with (your) body’s natural defenses to help (you) safely develop immunity to disease.”
A vaccine imitates the illness it is meant to protect the body against.
“This type of infection almost never causes illness, but it does cause the immune system to produce T-lymphocytes and antibodies,” said Dyson.
T-lymphocytes and antibodies are cells the body produces to fight off infection. These cells create a “memory” to fights off cells that cause illness in the future.
Dyson adds that vaccines are “the best protection against many serious diseases. Vaccines often provide long-lasting immunity to serious diseases without the risk of serious illness.”
Illinois requires children to be vaccinated for several diseases, including tetanus, polio, measles and mumps in order to attend school. However, if one pronounces religious concerns for not vaccinating their child(ren), they can be exempt from this requirement.
Here at NCC, Dyson Wellness Center explains that the school requires “all students who attend class on campus to provide proof of the state required immunization.”
Some of these vaccines include three doses of the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis series and two doses of the MMR vaccine. They also include the results of a blood test that provides proof of immunity to the measles, mumps and rubella.
For those on campus who identify as anti-vaxxers, NCC provides them with an immunization exemption for medical or religious reasons.
“They are considered compliant but not protected,” Dyson explains. “Students that do not provide proof of the required immunizations without an exemption are placed on hold after the 10th class day of the term they started at NCC. This means they cannot add or drop any class from their current schedule and they cannot register for the next term until the immunization requirements are met.”
“It is important to note, vaccines don’t just protect you; they protect the people around you,” said Dyson.
If students want a vaccine on campus, Dyson Wellness Center offers several vaccines, including the Tdap and MMR vaccines. If there is another vaccine a student wishes to have, Dyson can acquire it. However, based on cost and insurance coverage, it is usually more cost effective for a student to go elsewhere. Dyson also offers an annual Flu vaccine.
