1. Exploiting the Immune System
Dr. Robert Anderson
GCIT

2. Attitudes about Vaccines
What is your opinion on vaccines?
Would you get the flu shot?
Would you ask your family members to get the flu shot?
Would you take your children to get the flu shot?

3. What Prevents People from Getting Vaccinated?
Fear of the doctor/needles
Lack of resources (insurance/transportation/finances/access)
Misunderstanding of what vaccines do and how they work

4. Pros of Vaccination

5. Research scientist Andrew Wakefield published a paper in the Lancet stating that the MMR vaccine caused autism, intestinal disorders and pre-cancerous cells to develop.

6. Cons of Vaccination
No data have supported any hypothesis that implicates vaccines in harming those that are vaccinated as prescribed

7. Effects of Lower Vaccination Rates
Herd Immunity – the greater percentage of a population that is vaccinated, the less chance of disease getting established in a population
Rabies shots are mandated by State and Local Governments if you own dogs (and sometimes cats)
Why?

8. Herd Immunity

9. Effects of Lower Vaccination Rates
Fewer chances for mutation – with fewer people to reproduce in, viruses cannot go through genetic changes that may lead to the appearance of new strains

10. So What’s the Problem?
California Whooping Cough Rates

11. Overall Results of Vaccination Programs

12. Prevention How do we keep the problem from getting worse?
What obstacles are going to be faced along the way?
How do we break down these obstacles to improve and sustain public health programs?
What can YOU do?