Mom Begs Parents To Vaccinate Their Kids In Viral Twitter Thread

It's over in an instant, but it's still not a pleasant experience. This may be part of the reason that such a strong anti-vaccination movement has emerged in recent years.

Ever since people got it into their heads that vaccines cause autism, doctors and disease-prevention organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control have had to reassert time and again that there is no credible evidence that links vaccines in any way, shape, or form to autism.

In a thread starting with this tweet, Stellon O'Donnell described a recent event. Her eight-year-old daughter has cancer, along with the weakened immune system that goes with it.

At one time, measles was virtually eradicated in the West. Eradicating it completely is within reach, but not until more people get vaccinated.

As things stand, cases of the virus — which, again, was nearly eradicated — are on the rise.

It sounds like a stressful time for an eight-year-old girl and her mom. But, as Stellon O'Donnell describes, the whole situation carried the knock-on effect of disrupting other cancer patients.

The anti-vaxxer movement likely began in 1998 when British physician Andrew Wakefield wrote a report linking vaccines to autism. His 'study' was roundly debunked, to the point that he was stripped of his medical license.

And that's even without mentioned the cruel irony of those kids potentially having to get another vaccine with severe bone pain as a potential side effect thanks to the actions of those who don't trust vaccines.

Vaccines use the concept of herd immunity. This states, basically, that getting vaccinated doesn't just protect you — it protects everyone who comes into contact with you as well.

Measles is one of those nasty viruses that once posed a threat to kids everywhere. If everyone got vaccinated, we'd be very close to never having to worry about measles again.

This Twitter thread should strike a chord with any parent. Chemotherapy is a difficult enough experience for an eight-year-old.

Other users chimed in with their own stories of measles exposure. Hospitals need to take these things very seriously, and it's all because of parents who don't bother to get their kids vaccinated.

The effectiveness of vaccines is backed by cold, hard science. The idea that vaccines are harmful is backed by Jenny McCarthy and a bunch of people who aren't scientists or doctors.

Part of the issue is that part of the benefit of living in a free society is that no one can force you to get your shots. That puts the onus on individuals to make sure they — and their kids — get vaccinated.

If you read up on any vaccine literature published by a reputable public health organization like the CDC, it's abundantly clear that vaccines save lives.

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