Although we frequently speak of viruses as living organisms, technically, they are not alive. They are unable to do anything until they enter a living cell, where they then multiply according to the nature of the specific virus. However, scientists can use dead viruses to come up with cures for living viruses. The more accurate terms for these viruses would be "inactive" versus "active."
Most people living in developed countries have experienced the benefits of these inactive viruses, which can confer immunity to certain diseases. Anyone who has ever been vaccinated against polio or measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) has had a dead or weakened virus introduced into the body to prevent disease. Although there has recently been some controversy surrounding vaccinations, there is no evidence to suggest that vaccines cause autism in children. The Centers for Disease Control, along with Abt Associates Inc., did a study on 1,000 children from 1994-1999, and concluded that the number of vaccine antigens in children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder was the same as the number in children without any form of autism.
Other facts about vaccines:
- As of 2015, polio remained endemic in three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Countries with weak public health systems are most at risk. Three doses of the oral vaccine produce immunity in over 95 percent of recipients.
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend all adults receive a Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDAP) booster every 10 years and a flu shot every year.
- The World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1980 due to worldwide vaccine initiatives.
