This commentary is by David Schneider, DO, MS-HCT, FAAP, of Rutland. Schneider is a board-certified Vermont pediatrician with a master’s degree in health care transformation.
I am likely correct that no person reading this has seen smallpox.
It has been nearly 90 years since the last isolated report of a Vermonter ill with this dreaded, disfiguring, often life-stealing disease.
After the 1928 Vermont epidemic, spurred by lax vaccination, the Vermont Department of Health instituted a highly successful immunization campaign. 1929 ended with a near-eradication of smallpox in our state.
Most Americans in the 1920s received plenty of exercise and sleep. Alcohol was prohibited. Meals were whole food, fresh and devoid of microplastics — yet life expectancy averaged around 50 years. Illness and death from smallpox, influenza, pneumonias, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, tuberculosis, strep and other infectious diseases were common. Today, many of these infections are prevented or mitigated due to medical advances, foremost immunizations. However, many pathogens are on opportunistic standby.
On May 14, 1796, Dr. Edward Jenner successfully administered his new smallpox vaccine. The vaccine arrived in the U.S. in 1800. Despite concerns at the time that people would turn into cows, vaccine delivery increased and smallpox outbreaks decreased. By 1949, smallpox no longer existed on American soil.
To reiterate: There has been zero, zilch, nada, none, no smallpox in the U.S. since 1949 and was declared eradicated from the planet in 1980. The nearly 100% effective vaccine had saved countless lives.
Vermonters on the whole embrace immunization. While there has been a recent decline in immunization rates, we are not yet seeing an impact on public health. There is a fine line, however. For example, the established goal for community protection against measles is a 95% immunization rate. Vermont is presently at about 94%. Measles is so contagious that only a few percentage points below the 95% immunization goal sacrifices our protections.
Families share that they are struggling, attempting to discern accurate information from a recent deluge of misinformation, disinformation and flagrant malinformation about vaccines. Health care professionals take our responsibilities to heart and will not be dispirited by the recent environment of fabricated anti-vaccination propaganda. On the contrary, we are more dedicated than ever to empathetically maintain our trusting relationships with patients as we help address immunization questions.
In a conversation with Merideth Plumpton, the Immunization Program Manager with the Vermont Department of Health, she spoke about her concern for families that are at loss when it comes to finding accurate vaccine information. Still, she reminds me that it’s amazing to live in a state that follows science. We have a history of health commissioners who always put science first; we have a governor who is willing to say that vaccines “are the best way to prevent serious illness.”
Dr. Anna McCloy, a Rutland pediatrician, shares, “What I love is when patients are honest about their biggest vaccine fears. I can work with them.” She has noticed a misguided trend: the belief that “whole foods, healthy habits and loving our kids will protect them.” History demonstrates that these behaviors are important, but they are incomplete when it comes to infectious pathogens. Immunizations are an important part of healthy living.
Immunization recommendations and schedules will change from time to time. As with all vaccines, recommendations to administer or to discontinue immunization are based upon epidemiology and scientific evidence measuring the benefits of vaccination against any potential risks. This is the standard that has successfully held true. Independent, apolitical, trained, experienced, logical, methodical scientific review and expertise assessing vaccine benefits relative to any potential risk must always dictate recommendations.
There is no conspiracy. There are no big-dollar incentives. There is no deep-state attempt to control and manipulate genes. There is no activation of autism. There is no human-to-cow metamorphosis. Immunizations are a gift of successful medical achievements contributing to a healthy life, family and community. Immunizations are health care of value.
Please immunize. Save lives.
