RFK Jr. raises questions about vaccines, but data shows how many lives they saved

in him inauguration ceremony speechPresident Trump has vowed to “keep children healthy and prevent disease,” but the person he has nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.there is long history of raise doubts About vaccine – Despite evidence showing that they have saved millions of people from debilitating illness and death for decades.

“People are forgetting the old days (before vaccinations),” said Dr. John LaPook, chief medical correspondent for CBS News. “CBS Morning Plus” It points to data showing significant reductions in cases and deaths from these diseases compared to pre-vaccination levels.

“If you look at the top 10 childhood diseases each year, vaccines prevent more than 1 million infections and 10,000 deaths in the United States,” he said. Globally, the number is even greater; Estimation Each year, childhood vaccinations save 2 to 3 million lives.

Here's what else you need to know about the effects of vaccines.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by mimicking microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, without causing disease. “This gives your immune system a chance to mount defenses and prepares you to fight future infections,” LaPook says.

The immune system creates specific defenses called antibodies against the mimicking pathogens (known as antigens) introduced by vaccines. “An antigen can be bacteria that has been killed or changed so that it cannot cause disease.An antigen can be anything that looks or acts like a pathogen, a harmless part of a pathogen, or a harmless part of a pathogen. It could be instructions to the body to manufacture.” According to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

That way, if you encounter the actual pathogen later on, your immune system will be ready to react quickly and fight it.

Some vaccines effectively block the disease, while others prevent you from becoming seriously ill if you become infected. Therefore, although it is true that you can still contract some diseases even after vaccination, Influenza or new coronavirusFor example, vaccines can still help reduce the risk of severe illness and death.

If your body has a strong immune response to the vaccine, you may experience fatigue, body aches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and even fever, according to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. These potential side effects are normal and usually last within 1 to 2 days.

What will a vaccine accomplish?

Vaccines have greatly reduced childhood deaths and nearly eliminated certain diseases that once caused deadly epidemics.

recent study led by the World Health Organization estimate Vaccines including vaccination against polio, measles Twelve other once-common diseases have saved an estimated 154 million lives worldwide over the past 50 years. The measles vaccine alone averted around 94 million deaths, the analysis found.

However, in recent years, backtracking Vaccination ratehealth officials are starting to recognize the effects of skipping the shot.

Dr. Carolyn Bridges, former associate director of adult immunization at the CDC, recently said, “We don't need to look back too far to see what happens with vaccination rates when there are no requirements and people don't have access.'' No,” he said recently. told CBS Newsquoting, polio incident appeared in new york in 2022.

“It's really surprising that polio is back in the wild in a country with so many resources. It doesn't take long for a disease that is still circulating elsewhere to take hold again.”

Number of polio cases and deaths before and after vaccination

polio outbreak It once killed thousands of Americans and paralyzed many survivors, but vaccines first rolled out in the 1950s virtually eradicated the disease in the United States.

For decades, the polio vaccine (inactivated polio vaccine, or IPV) has been part of the routine childhood immunization schedule in the United States because it is the best way to protect against the virus. There is no cure.

A total of four doses is recommended for the highest level of protection. Studies have shown that two doses of IPV can: Approximately 90% protection with 3 doses At least 99% protection.

Number of measles cases and deaths before and after vaccination

Although it is easily preventable, With readily available vaccines, Measles cases has been rising In recent years, this is mainly due to an increase in people skipping vaccinations. Measles is highly contagious, Decline in vaccination rates Please give us an opportunity to expand.

Before a vaccine became available in the 1960s, measles was very common in childhood. Approximately 48,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with this disease; Approximately 500mostly children will die.

One dose of the MMR vaccine, which covers measles, mumps, and rubella, is 93% valid Studies have shown that the recommended two doses are 97% effective against measles.

Most people who receive the vaccine are protected for life, but Selection subjects health organization say.

Number of rubella cases and deaths before and after vaccination

Rubella, also known as rubella, is especially dangerous during pregnancy and can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe birth defects.

inside large outbreak In the United States in the mid-1960s, before the advent of vaccines, record show The virus has caused 11,000 pregnant women to lose their babies, 2,100 newborns to die, and approximately 20,000 babies to be born with lifelong disabilities.

The MMR vaccine was first introduced in 1971. Approximately 97% effective Studies have shown that just one dose can prevent rubella.

Although rubella is no longer endemic in the United States, meaning it has always been present, it remains a problem in other parts of the world. This means the virus can be brought to the United States by people infected in other countries, making vaccination important to prevent disease and outbreaks.

contributed to this report.