Abstract

MORICE, A  and  AVILA-AGUERO, ML. Myths, beliefs and realities about vaccines. Acta pediátr. costarric [online]. 2008, vol.20, n.2, pp.60-64. ISSN 1409-0090.

Even though vaccination is recognized as the strategy with highest benefits in public health, there are groups opposed to its administration. This article presents several experiences about anti vaccine groups; analyzing the origin of this reluctance and its effects on health. The reasons these groups oppose are related to myths, philosophic or religious beliefs, rumors and information not based on scientific evidence. After discharging the etiologic association between autism and Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine, it was difficult to revert its negative effect on population, decreasing vaccine coverage and reducing the herd immunity protection in some countries. Due to anti-vaccine groups, diseases under elimination, such as measles, became endemic in England.

Keywords : vaccination; anti-vaccines groups; myths, beliefs; vaccines.

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