Trump’s Views On Vaccination Do Not Jive With Most Americans
Donald Trump is a man who says a lot, and sometimes without knowing the facts. This time he has voiced his criticism of vaccines and this is greatly different from what the rest of the Americans think. The majority of Americans favor vaccination for their children against mumps, measles, and rubella, but Trump thinks differently.
In the latest Pew Research Survey, it was noted that more than 80% of Americans supported the idea of vaccination for children in public schools. The survey also revealed that the public did agree that benefits of combination vaccines far outweighed the risks.
Donald Trump’s views on vaccination have raised concern among healthcare workers and public health officials. Trump appears to be discrediting the benefits of vaccines and seems to suggest that they are more harmful than useful. He may actually be considering developing a Vaccine Commission, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already has a similar body in place. The Advisor Committee on Immunization Practices has always followed rigorous scientific methods and has a transparent process of evaluating all aspects of vaccine efficacy and safety.
Recently, former First lady, Rosalyn Carter asked to meet with first lady Melania Trump to discuss the safety of vaccines. Rosalyn Carter is the president and co-founder of Every Child by Two which is a group that advocates vaccines. Scientists have written to the President that they are willing to bring all their data to him for scrutiny so that he advocates the vaccination programs instead of opposing their use.
Even though there has been solid research showing no correlation between vaccination and autism, public mistrust of the vaccination programs is at an all-time high. This mistrust is often fueled by celebrities and conspiracy theorists who believe that the government is hiding medical information or trying to control them through a vaccination program.
Donald Trump has a long history of being against vaccines. During his campaign, he met with many skeptics and this has led him to discredit vaccines, in general.
So far the Whitehouse has not given any updates on the Vaccine Commission. There is ample literature showing that vaccination programs have saved millions of lives not only in the USA but globally. If children do not get vaccinated, it can result in catastrophe of immense proportions in the near future- not to mention a dramatic increase in healthcare costs.
While the majority of the American public does support vaccinations, medical experts believe that they may be swayed by Trump’s beliefs and refuse vaccination for their kids in future.